CifraLab

Cadd9 Guitar Chord

Cadd9 guitar chord: see the fingering, compare positions, and hear it before you play.

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Shape 1/2
Chord shapes:(2 positions)
Cadd9Guitar fingering diagram for Cadd91234×213STRING6ª×5ªC4ªE3ªG2ªD1ªE
View HD sheet

What sets Cadd9 apart

The notes of Cadd9 are C, E, G and D. C is the root, E the major third, G the fifth and D the ninth.

From the low string to the high one you hear C, E, G, D and E. The note heard most is E, twice. It is not the root but the major third. The lowest note is C on string 5 and the highest is E on string 1.

Cadd9 lets two strings ring open. String 3 gives G and string 1 gives E. String 6 is not played. Everything fits between frets 2 and 3. The second shape on this page starts at fret 2.

C is one change away. String 2 moves from fret 3 to fret 1, bringing in C, the root of C. It shares two notes with Am, C and E. The change that keeps the most fingers still is to Dm. One stays in place.

You will find Cadd9 in six different keys. In C major it is the Iadd9, in F major the Vadd9 and in G major the IVadd9. The rest appear in the key list. Further down there is a song that uses it.

Chord Progressions

Explore recommended harmonic circles on CifraLab:

01C C - Am - Dm - G702Em Em - C - Am - B7
Music Theory & Formula

Component notes and harmonic structure (Cadd9)

Formula: Major Added Ninth (1 - 3 - 5 - 9)
Constituent chord intervals:

C 1E 3G 5D 9

Root Bass (Fundamental String)5th String (A) • Fret 3 (C)

String Control (Muted & Active)5 / 6 • 1 X Muted

2 Fretboard Positions

Other fretboard positions for Cadd9:

01

Acoustic

Standard Position
5 / 6 stringsRoot: 5th String (A)
String Control (Muted & Active):
6th String (Low E)
×Muted
Do not play
Root
5th String (A)
Fret 3Finger 2
CDegree 1
4th String (D)
Fret 2Finger 1
EDegree 3
3rd String (G)
○Open
GDegree 5
2nd String (B)
Fret 3Finger 3
DDegree 9
1st String (High E)
○Open
EDegree 3

Placement tip: Press: 5th String (A) at fret 3 with your Middle finger, 4th String (D) at fret 2 with your Index finger, 2nd String (B) at fret 3 with your Ring finger. Play open: 3rd String (G), 1st String (High E). Don't play: 6th String (Low E).

02

Shape Wonderwall

Inversion
5 / 6 stringsRoot: 5th String (A)
String Control (Muted & Active):
6th String (Low E)
×Muted
Do not play
Root
5th String (A)
Fret 3Finger 2
CDegree 1
4th String (D)
Fret 2Finger 1
EDegree 3
3rd String (G)
○Open
GDegree 5
2nd String (B)
Fret 3Finger 3
DDegree 9
1st String (High E)
Fret 3Finger 4
GDegree 5

Placement tip: Press: 5th String (A) at fret 3 with your Middle finger, 4th String (D) at fret 2 with your Index finger, 2nd String (B) at fret 3 with your Ring finger, 1st String (High E) at fret 3 with your Pinky finger. Play open: 3rd String (G). Don't play: 6th String (Low E).

Biomechanics & Posture

Ergonomic tips to play without tension or fatigue (Cadd9)

Standard Position

The shape in numbers

ItemIn this chord
Frets2 to 3
Fretting fingers3
Open3rd and 1st
Muted6th

What to check

The open 3rd and 1st strings sit next to a fretting finger.

What every chord shares is in the fingering reading.

Transitions & Pivot Fingers

Most common chord transitions from Cadd9

Listen: Cadd9 → Dm · F · Em

  1. Cadd9
  2. Dm
  3. Cadd9
  4. F
  5. Cadd9
  6. Em
Cadd9 → Dm01
Pivot / Anchor Finger:1 finger stays
Stay in place
  • finger 3: string 2, fret 3
Move
  • finger 2: string 3, fret 2
  • finger 1: string 1, fret 1
Cadd9 → F02
Pivot / Anchor Finger:1 shared position
Stay in place
  • string 5, fret 3
Move
  • string 6, fret 1
  • string 4, fret 3
  • string 3, fret 2
  • string 2, fret 1
  • string 1, fret 1
Cadd9 → Em03
Pivot / Anchor Finger:Full shape change

No finger is shared: place the bass on string 5 first, then the rest of the shape.

Move
  • finger 1: string 5, fret 2
  • finger 2: string 4, fret 2

Cadd9 in every key

Cadd9 sits in the scale of 6 keys.

Main shape at a glance

Difficulty
1/5
Highest fret
3
Frets the hand covers
2
Barre
No
Strings that ring
5/6
Fretting fingers
3

Cadd9 on other instruments

PianoThe same notes on the keyboard.All togetherHear guitar, piano, bass and violin together.
Songs with this chord

Famous songs featuring this chord (Cadd9)

Well-known songs where this chord plays a clear role

01"Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)"Green Day • 1997Part of the chord loop that repeats through most of the song (G - Cadd9 - D).
Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions about the chord (Cadd9)

The questions that come up most when playing this chord

Which strings are played and which are muted in the Cadd9 chord?

To play the Cadd9 chord on guitar, only 5 strings are played, from string 5 to string 1. Muted strings must be gently dampened with the fleshy side of a fretting finger to prevent dissonance.

What is the root bass note of the Cadd9 chord and on which string is it located?

The primary bass note of the Cadd9 chord is its root note: C. In standard guitar tuning (EADGBe), this bass note is located on string 5 at fret 3.

When strumming or fingerpicking, strike this string first.

What notes make up the Cadd9 chord and what is its formula?

The Cadd9 chord is constructed using the 1 - 3 - 5 - 9 formula (Major Added Ninth). Its constituent pitches are C, E, G, D.

How do you prevent the Cadd9 chord from buzzing or sounding muted?

To prevent the Cadd9 chord from buzzing or sounding muted, press the strings using the tips of your fingers at a strict 90-degree hammer angle. Position each finger immediately behind the fret wire with your thumb centered behind the neck.

What famous songs use the Cadd9 chord?

"Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)" (Green Day, 1997). Part of the chord loop that repeats through most of the song (G - Cadd9 - D).

Study sheet · High resolution

Official Cadd9 chord diagram

Cadd9 guitar chord diagram with fingering for fingers 1 to 4
Download HD sheet

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Other chords in the C family:

Chord C Chord C#m Chord Cm Chord C7 Chord Cmaj7 Chord C#m7 Chord Cm7 Chord Csus2