C Add9
Open PositionThe classic open Cadd9 — ring on A fret 3, index on D fret 2, G string open, middle and pinky on B and high e at fret 3. The low E string is not strummed.
C Add9
8th FretCompact voicing on the top four strings — root (C) on D fret 10, 3rd (E) on G fret 9, 5th (G) on B fret 8, 9th (D) on high e fret 10. A bright, moveable add9 shape.
C Add9
3rd FretA-shape moveable add9 rooted on C at the 3rd fret — barre fret 3 with the index, then reach D fret 5, G fret 7, and B fret 5. Fully moveable to any root. Mute the low E.
Build from open C
Start with the open C chord, then move your pinky and an extra finger to fret 3 of the B and high e strings. That added D on the B string is the 9th that makes it Cadd9.
Pair it with G
Cadd9 and the 2-finger open G share the same ring and pinky position on the bottom strings. Practising G → Cadd9 is one of the most useful transitions in acoustic guitar.
Let the open G ring
In the open shape, the G string stays open — it is the 5th of the chord and adds to the bright, ringing character. Arch your fingers so it sounds cleanly.
Mute the low E
The open Cadd9 starts from the A string. Let the side of your index finger lightly touch the low E to keep it quiet as you strum.
Move the A-shape
The x-3-5-7-5-3 barre form is fully moveable — slide it up two frets for Dadd9 or down to fret 1 for B♭add9.
About the Cadd9 Chord on Guitar
The Cadd9 chord is built from four notes: C (the root), E (the major 3rd), G (the perfect 5th), and D (the 9th). It is the C major triad with an added 9th and no 7th — which gives it a bright, open, slightly dreamy shimmer while staying firmly major. Cadd9 is everywhere in acoustic, folk, pop, and worship guitar, largely because the open shape (x-3-2-0-3-3) flows so easily to and from the open G chord. This page covers three voicings, from the familiar open Cadd9 to a top-four-string form and a fully moveable A-shape barre. Every diagram is interactive and playable with acoustic guitar sound.
- 013 Cadd9 chord shapes from beginner to advanced
- 02Interactive diagrams — click Play to hear each chord
- 03Acoustic guitar sound via audio engine
- 04Open position, top-four-string voicing, and an A-shape moveable form
- 05Difficulty rating on every shape
- 06Free — no sign-up or download needed
ANATOMY
Chord Tones
The 4 notes that form the C Add9 chord and their role in the major scale.
Every add9 chord follows this same formula — root, major third, perfect fifth, and the major 9th added on top (no 7th).
Frequently Asked Questions
The classic open Cadd9 (x-3-2-0-3-3): ring on A fret 3, index on D fret 2, G open, middle and pinky on B and high e at fret 3. Mute the low E and strum from the A string.
C major has C, E, and G. Cadd9 adds D (the 9th) for a brighter, more open sound. There is no 7th — that is what makes it "add9" rather than a C9 chord.
They contain the same notes (C, E, G, D). "Add9" implies the D sits an octave-plus above the root; "add2" implies it sits right next to the root. In practice the names are often used interchangeably.
Cadd9 pairs beautifully with G, D, Em, and Am. The G → Cadd9 → D progression is a folk and worship staple, and Cadd9 works as a bright substitute for plain C major.