CifraLab

Fadd9 Guitar Chord

Fadd9 guitar chord: see the fingering, compare positions, and hear it before you play.

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Shape 1/2
Chord shapes:(2 positions)
Fadd9Guitar fingering diagram for Fadd91234××3214STRING6ª×5ª×4ªF3ªA2ªC1ªG
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What sets Fadd9 apart

Fadd9 is built from F, A, C and G. F is the root, A the major third, C the fifth and G the ninth.

String by string, low to high, it plays F, A, C and G. It runs from F on string 4 up to G on string 1.

Fadd9 uses no barre and no open strings, so you can slide the shape up the neck without changing fingers. Strings 6 and 5 stay silent. Your hand covers three frets, from 1 to 3. There is one more position, starting at fret 1.

Change only string 1 in Fadd9 and you have Fmaj7. Fadd9 and Dm have F and A in common. F shares three positions with this shape.

Fadd9 shows up in six keys. In F major it is the Iadd9, in Bb major the Vadd9 and in C major the IVadd9. The rest appear in the key list.

Chord Progressions

Explore recommended harmonic circles on CifraLab:

01F F - Dm - Gm - C702Am Am - F - Dm - E7
Music Theory & Formula

Component notes and harmonic structure (Fadd9)

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

F 1A 3C 5G 9

Root Bass (Fundamental String)4th String (D) • Fret 3 (F)

String Control (Muted & Active)4 / 6 • 2 X Muted

2 Fretboard Positions

Other fretboard positions for Fadd9:

01

Fret 1

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

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

02

Barre 1

Barre fret 1
6 / 6 stringsRoot: 6th String (Low E)
String Control (Muted & Active):
Root
6th String (Low E)
Fret 1Barre
FDegree 1
5th String (A)
Fret 3Finger 3
CDegree 5
4th String (D)
Fret 3Finger 4
FDegree 1
3rd String (G)
Fret 2Finger 2
ADegree 3
2nd String (B)
Fret 1Barre
CDegree 5
1st String (High E)
Fret 3Finger 4
GDegree 9

Placement tip: Barre fret 1. Press: 5th String (A) at fret 3 with your Ring finger, 4th String (D) at fret 3 with your Pinky finger, 3rd String (G) at fret 2 with your Middle finger, 1st String (High E) at fret 3 with your Pinky finger.

Biomechanics & Posture

Ergonomic tips to play without tension or fatigue (Fadd9)

Standard Position

The shape in numbers

ItemIn this chord
Frets1 to 3
Fretting fingers4
Opennone
Muted6th and 5th

What every chord shares is in the fingering reading.

Transitions & Pivot Fingers

Most common chord transitions from Fadd9

Listen: Fadd9 → F · C · Am

  1. Fadd9
  2. F
  3. Fadd9
  4. C
  5. Fadd9
  6. Am
Fadd9 → F01
Pivot / Anchor Finger:3 shared positions
Stay in place
  • string 4, fret 3
  • string 3, fret 2
  • string 2, fret 1
Move
  • string 6, fret 1
  • string 5, fret 3
  • string 1, fret 1
Fadd9 → C02
Pivot / Anchor Finger:1 finger stays
Stay in place
  • finger 1: string 2, fret 1
Move
  • finger 3: string 5, fret 3
  • finger 2: string 4, fret 2
Fadd9 → Am03
Pivot / Anchor Finger:1 finger stays
Stay in place
  • finger 1: string 2, fret 1
Move
  • finger 2: string 4, fret 2
  • finger 3: string 3, fret 2

Fadd9 in every key

Fadd9 sits in the scale of 6 keys.

Main shape at a glance

Difficulty
3/5
Highest fret
3
Frets the hand covers
3
Barre
No
Strings that ring
4/6
Fretting fingers
4

Fadd9 on other instruments

PianoThe same notes on the keyboard.All togetherHear guitar, piano, bass and violin together.
Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions about the chord (Fadd9)

The questions that come up most when playing this chord

Which strings are played and which are muted in the Fadd9 chord?

To play the Fadd9 chord on guitar, only 4 strings are played, from string 4 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 Fadd9 chord and on which string is it located?

The primary bass note of the Fadd9 chord is its root note: F. In standard guitar tuning (EADGBe), this bass note is located on string 4 at fret 3.

When strumming or fingerpicking, strike this string first.

What notes make up the Fadd9 chord and what is its formula?

The Fadd9 chord is constructed using the 1 - 3 - 5 - 9 formula (Major Added Ninth). Its constituent pitches are F, A, C, G.

How do you prevent the Fadd9 chord from buzzing or sounding muted?

To prevent the Fadd9 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.

Study sheet · High resolution

Official Fadd9 chord diagram

Fadd9 guitar chord diagram with fingering for fingers 1 to 4
Download HD sheet

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Other chords in the F family:

Chord F Chord F# Chord F#m Chord Fm Chord F7 Chord F#7 Chord Fmaj7 Chord F#maj7