B Add9
2nd FretA-shape moveable add9 rooted on B at fret 2 — barre fret 2 with the index, then reach D fret 4, G fret 6, and B fret 4. Mute the low E. Fully moveable to any root.
B Add9
7th FretCompact voicing on the top four strings — root (B) on D fret 9, 3rd (D#) on G fret 8, 5th (F#) on B fret 7, 9th (C#) on high e fret 9. A bright, moveable add9 shape.
B Add9
7th Fret (E-shape)E-shape moveable add9 with the root on the low E string at fret 7 — index barres fret 7, ring covers A and D at fret 9, middle on G fret 8, pinky on high e fret 9. A full six-string voicing.
Use the moveable A-shape
The x-2-4-6-4-2 barre at fret 2 is the most reliable Badd9. Slide it up two frets for C#add9 or down to fret 1 for B♭add9.
No open Badd9
B has no open-string root, so Badd9 lives in moveable shapes. Getting comfortable with the A-shape barre unlocks it across the neck.
Top-string brightness
The x-x-9-8-7-9 voicing puts the 9th on the high e string for a crisp, chiming Badd9 that cuts through a mix.
Mute the low E on the A-shape
The A-shape skips the low E. Rest the side of your index finger against it to keep it quiet while strumming.
A bright B substitute
Anywhere a plain B major appears, Badd9 can replace it for a more open, modern colour — effective in pop and worship.
About the Badd9 Chord on Guitar
The Badd9 chord is built from four notes: B (the root), D# (the major 3rd), F# (the perfect 5th), and C# (the 9th). It is the B major triad with an added 9th and no 7th — bright and open, with a shimmering colour over a firmly major base. B has no open-string root in standard tuning, so Badd9 is played with moveable barre and top-string shapes, making it good practice for moveable forms. This page covers three voicings: a moveable A-shape barre, a top-four-string form, and a full E-shape barre. Every diagram is interactive and playable with acoustic guitar sound.
- 013 Badd9 chord shapes from intermediate to advanced
- 02Interactive diagrams — click Play to hear each chord
- 03Acoustic guitar sound via audio engine
- 04A-shape barre, top-four-string voicing, and an E-shape moveable form
- 05Difficulty rating on every shape
- 06Free — no sign-up or download needed
ANATOMY
Chord Tones
The 4 notes that form the B 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).