Chord Library
Tip meOpen App →

Amadd9

Character: tender

  1. ARtriad
  2. C♭3triad
  3. E5triad
  4. B9add
Open Amadd9 in the chord libraryDownload the Amadd9 chart (PDF)
Voicings

5 ways to play Amadd9

Every voicing sits inside one of the five CAGED shapes, low to high on the neck, with its octave doublings in grey.

  • Triad note
  • Substitute
  • Added
  • Anchored root
  • Bass
  • Doubling
CC shape 1st inversion Amadd9/C
7 8 9 10 11 12 9 R 5 ♭3 R

Frets x 0 10 9 10 7Notes C E A BIntervals ♭3 5 1 9Base triadA minor, 1st inversion

The 9th gets a string of its own.

GG shape 1st inversion Amadd9/C
1 2 3 4 5 9 R 5 ♭3 5

Frets x 3 2 2 0 0Notes C E A BIntervals ♭3 5 1 9Base triadA minor, 1st inversion

The 9th gets a string of its own.

GG shape Root position Amadd9
1 2 3 4 5 9 5 ♭3 R 5 5

Frets 5 3 2 4 5 0Notes A C E BIntervals 1 ♭3 5 9Base triadA minor, root position

The 9th gets a string of its own.

EE shape Root position Amadd9
5 6 7 8 9 5 ♭3 R R R

Frets 5 0 7 5 5 7Notes A C E BIntervals 1 ♭3 5 9Base triadA minor, root position

The 9th gets a string of its own.

EE shape 2nd inversion AnchoredAmadd9
5 6 7 8 9 R ♭3 9 5 R 5 5

Frets 5 7 9 5 5 0Notes A E B CIntervals 1 5 9 ♭3Base triadA minor, 2nd inversion

The root drops to the string below the triad. The 9th takes the root’s string.

The rules

The construction rules Amadd9 follows

  1. Start from a triad

    Root, 3rd and 5th, stacked in thirds. The 3rd makes it major or minor; the 5th makes it diminished or augmented when it moves.

  2. No 7th, no stack

    6, add9, add11 and 6/9 are a triad with a colour note, not a stack. Without a 7th the chord sounds open rather than jazzy.

  3. On guitar, something has to give

    Each extension takes the string of a triad note that matters less, usually the 5th, or gets a string of its own. The root and 3rd stay: they say what the chord is.

  4. The root can move down

    When an extension needs the root’s string, the root can drop to the string below the triad: an anchored voicing keeps the bass and frees a string on top.

All the rules, with examples, in the guide to the chord library.

Minor add 9 in every key

More chords on A

Amadd9 chord questions

What notes are in Amadd9?

Amadd9 is spelled A C E B: A is the root, C is the ♭3rd, E is the 5th, B is the 9th.

What is the formula of Amadd9?

1 ♭3 5 9. It is a A minor triad with the 9th stacked on top.

How many ways can you play Amadd9 on guitar?

This page shows 5 voicings of Amadd9, filed under the five CAGED shapes and named by inversion, from the open position up to the 16th fret.