add nine chord
C, E, G and D
- Root
- C
- Major third
- E
- Perfect fifth
- G
- Major ninth
- D
Formula
1 3 5 9 (4, 7, 14 half steps above C)
Fingering in root position
| Notes | C | E | G | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| Left hand | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Cadd9 inversions
Cadd9 has 3 inversions. Each one keeps the same notes and puts a different one at the bottom, so your hand can stay close to the chord before or after it.
Cadd9
Root position
| Notes | C | E | G | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| Left hand | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Cadd9/E
First inversion
| Notes | E | G | C | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 |
| Left hand | 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
Cadd9/G
Second inversion
| Notes | G | C | D | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Left hand | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Cadd9/D
Third inversion
| Notes | D | E | G | C |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| Left hand | 5 | 4 | 3 | 1 |
Where Cadd9 fits
All of its notes are in C major, G major and F major, so it fits naturally in those keys.
How Cadd9 is built
C is the root, E the major third, G the perfect fifth and D the major ninth.
An add9 chord is a major chord plus the ninth, the second note of the scale an octave higher, with no seventh. It is usually played with the ninth on top: C, E, G and D.
Every chord takes every other letter of the alphabet, so the letters of Cadd9 are C, E, G, D. That is why it is spelled C, E, G and D.
Find Cadd9 yourself
Without looking at the diagrams, find the chord on the keyboard, then each inversion. Saying the notes out loud as you tap them helps them stick.
Step 1 of 4
Tap the notes of Cadd9, in any octave and any order.
Practice Cadd9 in real music
MasterPiano gives you new music to read at your level and listens as you play, through a MIDI keyboard or your device's microphone, marking each note right or wrong.
Start freeQuestions
What notes are in the Cadd9 chord?
Cadd9 has four notes: C, E, G and D. C is the root, E the major third, G the perfect fifth and D the major ninth.
What fingers do you use for Cadd9 on piano?
In root position, play C, E, G and D with right hand fingers 1, 2, 3 and 5 (thumb, index finger, middle finger and little finger) and left hand fingers 5, 3, 2 and 1. The fingers change a little in each inversion; every inversion on this page shows its own.
What are the inversions of Cadd9?
Cadd9 has 3 inversions, one for each note other than the root at the bottom. First inversion (Cadd9/E): E, G, C and D. Second inversion (Cadd9/G): G, C, D and E. Third inversion (Cadd9/D): D, E, G and C.
What is an add nine chord?
An add9 chord is a major chord plus the ninth, the second note of the scale an octave higher, with no seventh. It is usually played with the ninth on top: C, E, G and D. All the notes of Cadd9 are in C major, G major and F major.