Cadd9 Guitar Chord

Looking for C#add9 (C♯add9)? →

Cadd9 is a add9 chord made of C · E · G · D. Major triad + 9th — a clear, modern pop sound. The standard shape is an open chord: x32030 (6th string → 1st string, x = don't play, 0 = open string).

Chord charts

Cadd9

Open chord · x32030

Cadd9

Fret 2 · root on 5th string · x3253x

Cadd9

Fret 7 barre · root on 6th string · 8-7-10-7-8-x · from fret 7

Cadd9

Fret 8 · root on 4th string · x-x-10-9-8-10 · from fret 8

Index finger on string 4 (D), fret 2.
Middle finger on string 5 (A), fret 3.
Ring finger on string 2 (B), fret 3.
Let strings 3, 1 ring open.
Don't play string 6 (or mute lightly).
Strum down from string 5.

Cadd9 guitar chord chart — open chord x32030 and 3 more shapes — All Cadd9 shapes on one image — long-press (or right-click) to save it.

Notes in the chord

C
rootE
3rdG
5thD
9th

Play it easier with a capo

Capo on fret 3 + Aadd9 shape → sounds as Cadd9

If barre chords are hard, clamp a capo and play an open shape — it sounds exactly the same. The Buskermate app can move a whole chord sheet to any capo position for you.

Try it: capo on

Scales that fit

Other C chords

C Cm C7 Cmaj7 Cm7 C6 Cm6 Csus4 Csus2 C7sus4 Cdim Cdim7 Cm7b5 Caug Cadd9 C9 Cm9 Cmaj9

Add9 chords in other keys

Cadd9 C♯add9 Dadd9 E♭add9 Eadd9 Fadd9 F♯add9 Gadd9 A♭add9 Aadd9 B♭add9 Badd9

FAQ

What notes are in the Cadd9 chord?

The Cadd9 chord is made of C, E, G, D. Major triad + 9th — a clear, modern pop sound.

What's the easiest way to play Cadd9 on guitar?

The standard shape, from the 6th string to the 1st, is x32030 (an open chord). If the barre is hard, put a capo on fret 3 and play a Aadd9 shape — it sounds the same.

Which scale works for soloing over Cadd9?

C major or C major pentatonic fits well.

🎸 Transpose a whole chord sheet — Buskermate
Upload a PDF song sheet and Buskermate reads the chords and moves them to any key or capo position (the app is in Korean for now).