Fadd9 chord on piano
Fadd9 (F add 9) is a add9 chord built on F. It has 4 notes, F, A, C and G, and its formula is 1 3 5 9.
Notes and intervals of Fadd9
From the root upwards, Fadd9 contains root (F), major 3rd (A), perfect 5th (C) and major 9th (G). Those intervals give the chord its colour: the formula 1 3 5 9 works the same way in every key, so once you know it for F you can build the chord on any note.
| Degree | Interval | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | root | F |
| 3 | major 3rd | A |
| 5 | perfect 5th | C |
| 9 | major 9th | G |
How to play Fadd9 on piano
Find F and play F, A, C and G together. With the right hand, a common fingering is 1-2-3-5. With the left hand, reverse it (5-3-2-1). Keep your wrist level and let the fingers curve, so all 4 keys go down at the same time.
Inversions of Fadd9
An inversion keeps the same notes but puts another one in the bass. Fadd9 has 3 inversions besides root position: 1st inversion (A C G F), 2nd inversion (C G F A) and 3rd inversion (G F A C). Inversions let you move between chords with tiny hand movements, which is how pianists make progressions sound smooth.
Which keys use Fadd9?
Fadd9 is not built from the notes of a single major key, so it usually appears as a colour chord: a borrowed chord, a passing chord or a suspension that resolves to the next chord.
Scales to play over Fadd9
To improvise over Fadd9, start with F major scale. All of these scales contain every note of the chord: F major scale, F major pentatonic scale, F Lydian mode and F Mixolydian mode. Aim for the chord notes on strong beats and use the other notes to move between them.
About add9 chords
A major triad with the 9th added: 1 3 5 9. Unlike a 9 chord there is no seventh, so the add9 chord stays bright and simple, with a sparkle on top. The 9 (the second, an octave higher) rubs gently against the third and the root, which gives that shimmering acoustic pop sound. For example Cadd9: C E G D.
Use it anywhere a major chord fits, mostly on I and IV, to enrich a plain progression without changing its function (for example Cadd9 G D Em in G major). Acoustic pop, worship, country and indie use it constantly, often keeping one note ringing on the top strings through a whole progression as a drone.
Spread it: left hand root and fifth, right hand 3, 5 and 9, or the 9 just below the third for a cluster that sounds lovely in the middle register. Avoid that close second low in the left hand, where it muddies. Inversions with the 9 on top give a singing melody note over the chord.
add9 versus 9: a 9 chord also contains the ♭7 and has a dominant sound, add9 does not. add9 versus sus2: sus2 drops the third, add9 keeps it. And add9 versus add2: same note names, but add2 implies the second sits close to the root, add9 an octave higher. Many charts use them loosely, so trust your ears.
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the Fadd9 chord?
Fadd9 (F add 9) contains F, A, C and G. In intervals: root (F), major 3rd (A), perfect 5th (C) and major 9th (G).
How do you play Fadd9 on piano?
Play F, A, C and G together with the right-hand fingering 1-2-3-5. You can also play it in 3 inversions, shown on this page.
What scale goes with Fadd9?
F major scale fits Fadd9 best. Other scales that contain all its notes: F major pentatonic scale, F Lydian mode and F Mixolydian mode.
What key is Fadd9 in?
Fadd9 does not belong to a single major key. It is used as a colour chord that borrows notes from outside the key.
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