Chord chart for B♭add9 Guitar Chord (B♭ major add 9): Notes, Shapes & How to Play | Guitar Wiz

B♭ major add 9 guitar shapes

Popular fretboard positions with fingering suggestions

Showing 8 of 63 playable shapes

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B♭ major add 9 guitar chord diagram showing fretboard positions

About the chord

B♭ major add 9 guitar chord

B♭add9 is the B♭ major add 9 guitar chord. It uses the notes B♭, D, F, and C and the interval formula 1-3-5-9.

The B♭ major add 9 major add 9 chord extends the major triad with an added ninth C, creating a bright, expansive harmony. Unlike the major 9 chord, it lacks the major seventh, offering a fresher, more open sound often used in pop, rock, and jazz for uplifting atmospheres.

Also written as B♭maj(add9) and B♭Madd9.

Root note: B♭
Quality: major add 9
Chord tones: 4
Playable shapes: 63

Chord tones

B♭DFC

Common guitar voicings

These are quick-start shapes for players who want the answer first and the deeper theory second.

Shape x10311

x10311

View shape
  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 1st fret of the 5th string.
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 1st fret of the 1st string and 2nd string in barre position.
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 3rd fret of the 3rd string.
  4. 4 Let the fourth string ring open.
  5. 5 Strum from the 5th string down.

Shape 688768

688768

View shape
  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 6th fret of the 2nd string and 6th string in barre position.
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 7th fret of the 3rd string.
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 8th fret of the 4th string and 5th string in barre position.
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 8th fret of the 1st string.
  5. 5 Strum from the 6th string down.

Notes & Intervals

Each note below shows how the chord is built from its root. This is the theory layer underneath the fretboard shapes.

B♭ Unison (Root) 1

The root anchors the chord and defines its tonal center.

D Major Third 3

This note defines the chord's major quality and brings brightness to the sound.

F Perfect Fifth 5

The fifth reinforces stability and gives the chord its strong harmonic frame.

C Major Ninth 9

The ninth opens the chord up and adds a modern, spacious color.

Shape details

Every shape is shown with its diagram and exact fingering instructions.

B♭ major add 9 shape x10311

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 1st fret of the 5th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 1st fret of the 1st string and 2nd string in barre position
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 3rd fret of the 3rd string
  4. 4 Let the fourth string ring open
  5. 5 Do not play the sixth string
  6. 6 Strum from the fifth string down to the first string

B♭ major add 9 shape 688768

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 6th fret of the 2nd string and 6th string in barre position
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 7th fret of the 3rd string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 8th fret of the 4th string and 5th string in barre position
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 8th fret of the 1st string
  5. 5 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

B♭ major add 9 shape xx8768

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 6th fret of the 2nd string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 7th fret of the 3rd string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 8th fret of the 4th string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 8th fret of the 1st string
  5. 5 Do not play the sixth and fifth strings
  6. 6 Strum from the fourth string down to the first string

B♭ major add 9 shape 633336

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 3rd fret of the 2nd string, 3rd string, 4th string, and 5th string in barre position
  2. 2 Place the 3rd finger on the 6th fret of the 6th string
  3. 3 Place the 4th finger on the 6th fret of the 1st string
  4. 4 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

B♭ major add 9 shape 630336

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 3rd fret of the 5th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 3rd fret of the 2nd string and 3rd string in barre position
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 6th fret of the 6th string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 6th fret of the 1st string
  5. 5 Let the fourth string ring open
  6. 6 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

B♭ major add 9 shape 633536

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 3rd fret of the 2nd string, 4th string, and 5th string in barre position
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 5th fret of the 3rd string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 6th fret of the 6th string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 6th fret of the 1st string
  5. 5 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

B♭ major add 9 shape 630366

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 3rd fret of the 5th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 3rd fret of the 3rd string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 6th fret of the 6th string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 6th fret of the 1st string and 2nd string in barre position
  5. 5 Let the fourth string ring open
  6. 6 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

B♭ major add 9 shape 630566

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 3rd fret of the 5th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 5th fret of the 3rd string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 6th fret of the 6th string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 6th fret of the 1st string and 2nd string in barre position
  5. 5 Let the fourth string ring open
  6. 6 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

Quick answers

What notes are in B♭add9?

B♭add9 uses the notes B♭, D, F, and C. Its interval formula is 1-3-5-9.

What is another name for B♭add9?

B♭add9 is also written as B♭maj(add9) and B♭Madd9.

How do you play B♭add9 on guitar?

Place the 1st finger on the 1st fret of the 5th string. Place the 2nd finger on the 1st fret of the 1st string and 2nd string in barre position. Place the 3rd finger on the 3rd fret of the 3rd string. Let the fourth string ring open. Strum from the 5th string down.

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