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Chord chart for Eadd9 Guitar Chord (E major add 9): Notes, Shapes & How to Play | Guitar Wiz

E major add 9 guitar shapes

Popular fretboard positions with fingering suggestions

Showing 8 of 159 playable shapes

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E major add 9 guitar chord diagram showing fretboard positions

About the chord

E major add 9 guitar chord

Eadd9 is the E major add 9 guitar chord. It uses the notes E, G♯, B, and F♯ and the interval formula 1-3-5-9.

The E major add 9 major add 9 chord extends the major triad with an added ninth F♯, 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 Emaj(add9) and EMadd9.

Root note: E
Quality: major add 9
Chord tones: 4
Playable shapes: 159

Chord tones

EG♯BF♯

Common guitar voicings

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

Shape 022102

022102

View shape
  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 1st fret of the 3rd string.
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the 5th string.
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th string.
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 2nd fret of the 1st string.
  5. 5 Let the sixth and second strings ring open.
  6. 6 Strum from the 6th string down.

Shape xx2102

xx2102

View shape
  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 1st fret of the 3rd string.
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th string.
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 2nd fret of the 1st string.
  4. 4 Let the second string ring open.
  5. 5 Strum from the 4th 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.

E Unison (Root) 1

The root anchors the chord and defines its tonal center.

G♯ Major Third 3

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

B Perfect Fifth 5

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

F♯ 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.

E major add 9 shape 022102

How to play this shape

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

E major add 9 shape xx2102

How to play this shape

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

E major add 9 shape 024404

How to play this shape

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

E major add 9 shape 099990

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 9th fret of the 2nd string, 3rd string, 4th string, and 5th string in barre position
  2. 2 Let the sixth and first strings ring open
  3. 3 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

E major add 9 shape 099b90

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 9th fret of the 2nd string, 4th string, and 5th string in barre position
  2. 2 Place the 3rd finger on the 11th fret of the 3rd string
  3. 3 Let the sixth and first strings ring open
  4. 4 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

E major add 9 shape 0b9b90

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 9th fret of the 4th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 9th fret of the 2nd string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 11th fret of the 5th string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 11th fret of the 3rd string
  5. 5 Let the sixth and first strings ring open
  6. 6 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

E major add 9 shape 0b9b00

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 9th fret of the 4th string
  2. 2 Place the 3rd finger on the 11th fret of the 5th string
  3. 3 Place the 4th finger on the 11th fret of the 3rd string
  4. 4 Let the sixth, second, and first strings ring open
  5. 5 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

E major add 9 shape ceedce

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 12th fret of the 2nd string and 6th string in barre position
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 13th fret of the 3rd string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 14th fret of the 4th string and 5th string in barre position
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 14th fret of the 1st string
  5. 5 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

Quick answers

What notes are in Eadd9?

Eadd9 uses the notes E, G♯, B, and F♯. Its interval formula is 1-3-5-9.

What is another name for Eadd9?

Eadd9 is also written as Emaj(add9) and EMadd9.

How do you play Eadd9 on guitar?

Place the 1st finger on the 1st fret of the 3rd string. Place the 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the 5th string. Place the 3rd finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th string. Place the 4th finger on the 2nd fret of the 1st string. Let the sixth and second strings ring open. Strum from the 6th string down.

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