Gadd9
Gadd9
Notes
G · B · D · A
Intervals
- RootG (1P)
- Major 3rdB (3M)
- Perfect 5thD (5P)
- Major 9thA (9M)
Fretboard
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About
The Gadd9 (G–B–D–A) 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 A adds brightness and shimmer; the B 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 GMaj9, add9 is simpler and more grounded — a major triad with a single added color. Compared to plain G, the 9th adds a touch of modern shimmer.
Similar chords
Chords sharing two or more notes with this one, ranked by overlap.
Scales containing this chord
- G Lydian (I)
- G Major (I)
- G Major Pentatonic (deg 1)
- G Mixolydian (I)
- A Dorian (VII)
- A Mixolydian (VII)
- A Natural Minor (VII)
- B Locrian (VI)
- B Natural Minor (VI)
- B Phrygian (VI)
- C Lydian (V)
- C Major (V)
- C Melodic Minor (V)
- D Dorian (IV)
- D Major (IV)
- D Melodic Minor (IV)
- D Mixolydian (IV)
- D♭ Locrian (V)
- E Blues (deg 2)
- E Dorian (III)
- E Minor Pentatonic (deg 2)
- E Natural Minor (III)
- E Phrygian (III)
- F Lydian (II)
- F♯ Locrian (II)
- F♯ Phrygian (II)
Scales whose notes include every chord tone. The Roman numeral (or scale degree) marks the chord root’s position in the scale.