C Add9 Chord on Guitar
The C Add9 chord contains C, D, E and G — 4 notes. Every position is marked across the whole fretboard below, labelled with note names and with interval numbers, and the tuning of each string can be changed.
- Root
- Major 2nd
- Major 3rd
- Perfect 5th
| Degree | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Note | C | D | E | G |
| Interval | Root | Major 2nd | Major 3rd | Perfect 5th |
Note names
Interval numbers
Scales containing C Add9
| Major (Ionian) | C F G |
| Natural Minor (Aeolian) | D E A |
| Dorian | D G A |
| Phrygian | E A B |
| Lydian | C F B♭ |
| Mixolydian | C D G |
| Locrian | E F# B |
| Harmonic Lydian (Lydian ♭6) | C A♭ |
| Melodic Minor | F G |
| Melodic Minor ♯4 | F |
| Major Pentatonic | C |
| Minor Pentatonic | A |
| Dominant Pentatonic (Mixolydian Pentatonic) | C |
| Minor Sixth Pentatonic | G |
| Blues | A |
| Tcherepnin (M3) | D F# B♭ |
Circle of fifths
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the C Add9 chord?
C, D, E and G. That is 4 notes.
How is the C Add9 chord built?
From a root of C: D is the major 2nd, E is the major 3rd and G is the perfect 5th.
Which scales contain the C Add9 chord?
C Major (Ionian), D Natural Minor (Aeolian), D Dorian and E Phrygian, among others. Every note of the C Add9 chord is in those, so they can be played over it.
Which smaller chords are inside the C Add9 chord?
C Major, C Sus2, G Sus4 and C Power (5). Each uses only notes the C Add9 chord already contains.
Practice this on your own guitar
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