E Add9
Open PositionThe open Eadd9 — low E open, middle on A fret 2, ring on D fret 2, index on G fret 1, B open, pinky on high e fret 2. A full, ringing six-string voicing.
E Add9
1st PositionCompact voicing on the top four strings — root (E) on D fret 2, 3rd (G#) on G fret 1, 5th (B) on the open B string, 9th (F#) on high e fret 2. A bright, easy add9 cluster.
E Add9
7th FretA-shape moveable add9 rooted on E at fret 7 — barre fret 7 with the index, then reach D fret 9, G fret 11, and B fret 9. Mute the low E. Fully moveable to any root.
Build from open E
Start with the open E chord, then move your pinky onto the high e string at fret 2. That added F# is the 9th that turns E major into Eadd9.
Let the open strings ring
The open low E and B strings carry the root and 5th. Keep your fretting fingers arched so those strings sound cleanly for a full, chiming chord.
A bright E substitute
Swap a plain open E for Eadd9 whenever you want a more atmospheric, ringing colour — it sounds great under fingerpicked arpeggios.
Try the four-string cluster
The x-x-2-1-0-2 shape is a compact, bright Eadd9 on the top strings — handy for adding sparkle high in a mix without the low end.
Move the A-shape
The x-7-9-11-9-7 barre is fully moveable — slide it down to fret 5 for Dadd9 or up to fret 8 for Fadd9.
About the Eadd9 Chord on Guitar
The Eadd9 chord is built from four notes: E (the root), G# (the major 3rd), B (the perfect 5th), and F# (the 9th). It is the E major triad with an added 9th and no 7th — bright, open, and ringing, with a shimmering colour layered over a firmly major foundation. E is one of the most guitar-friendly keys, and Eadd9 has a lovely open voicing that simply adds the pinky to the standard open E shape. It is a favourite for atmospheric strumming and fingerpicking. This page covers three voicings, from the open Eadd9 to a compact top-string cluster and a moveable A-shape barre. Every diagram is interactive and playable with acoustic guitar sound.
- 013 Eadd9 chord shapes from beginner to advanced
- 02Interactive diagrams — click Play to hear each chord
- 03Acoustic guitar sound via audio engine
- 04Open position, top-four-string cluster, and an A-shape moveable form
- 05Difficulty rating on every shape
- 06Free — no sign-up or download needed
ANATOMY
Chord Tones
The 4 notes that form the E 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).