Guitar chord

E Add9 Open Chord

An open Eadd9 shape with F# on the D string for a bright added-ninth sound.

Symbol
Eadd9
Chord tones
E, G#, B, F#
Formula
1 3 5 9
Tuning
Standard
Frets, low to high
0 2 4 1 0 0
Fingers, low to high
- 2 4 1 - -

Chord fingering diagram

Read the chart vertically with the nut at the top. X means mute the string, markers above the nut are played open, and numbered markers show fretting-hand fingers.

E Add9 Open Chord chord fingering diagram
E Add9 Open Chord guitar chord fingering chart in standard tuning.

How to play Eadd9

Fretting hand

Place finger 2 on the 5th string at fret 2, finger 4 on the 4th string at fret 4, and finger 1 on the 3rd string at fret 1. Fret each note close behind the fret wire without resting directly on it.

Clean sound check

Let the 6th string, 2nd string, and 1st string ring open. Arch the fretting fingers so their sides do not silence neighboring strings, then pick every sounding string separately.

Sound and use

Eadd9 keeps the major third and adds the ninth, producing a wider major sound without the flat or major seventh found in seventh chords.

More E chords

Keep the root fixed and compare how the third, seventh, suspended tones, or added tones change the sound.

More Major Add9 chord shapes

Practice the same chord quality from other roots to reinforce its interval sound and common fingering patterns.