C

Cadd9

Notes

C · E · G · D

Intervals

  • RootC (1P)
  • Major 3rdE (3M)
  • Perfect 5thG (5P)
  • Major 9thD (9M)

Fretboard

EBGDAE357912EGCDECDEGGCDEGDEGCDCDEGEGCDE

About

The Cadd9 (C–E–G–D) adds a ninth to a major triad without including a 7th. The distinction matters: because there is no 7th, the chord stays harmonically stable and resolved rather than suggesting dominant or subdominant motion. The D adds brightness and shimmer; the E retains the major identity. On guitar, open-string voicings make add9 sounds particularly resonant. The 5th can be omitted without loss; the 3rd and 9th are both essential. Compared to CMaj9, add9 is simpler and more grounded — a major triad with a single added color. Compared to plain C, the 9th adds a touch of modern shimmer.

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