Guitar arpeggio
A Minor Add9 Guitar Arpeggio
A Minor Add9 is a four-note added-tone arpeggio built from A, C, E, and B. It is also commonly called A Minor Add 9, Amadd9, and A min add9. Use it to study chord tones, interval formulas, and guitar fretboard positions.
- Chord tones
- A, C, E, B
- Formula
- 1 b3 5 9
- Semitones
- 0 3 7 14
- Chord symbols
- Amadd9, Aminadd9
- Also called
- A Minor Add 9Amadd9A min add9
How to read this arpeggio
The chord tones are shown as pitch classes first. In the fretboard tool, square markers represent A root notes, while circular markers represent the remaining tones in the arpeggio.
Use the interactive fretboard to locate the A root notes and connect the remaining minor add9 chord tones across standard tuning.
This same arpeggio shape is also commonly called A Minor Add 9 or Amadd9 or A min add9.
Chord construction and defining tones
A minor add9 is defined by b3 (C) and 9 (B). It keeps the minor triad and adds the ninth without adding a seventh.
Harmonic use
Use this arpeggio over Amadd9 and minor chords where the natural ninth is part of the voicing or melody.
Practice this arpeggio on guitar
- Play the A Minor Add9 arpeggio from one A root to the next in at least two fretboard positions, saying each note name and interval degree aloud.
- Connect b3 (C) and 9 (B) across two octaves and compare the color of the ninth against the minor third.
- Play over Amadd9, treating the ninth as a color tone that resolves to the root or minor third.
Fretboard diagram
Open this arpeggio in the fretboard tool
Start with A Minor Add9 loaded, then adjust tuning, labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.
Open in interactive fretboard