About the B♭add9 chord
An add9 is a major chord with the ninth added and no seventh. It is bright and shimmering, and a favourite in pop and acoustic playing. The symbol for it is B♭add9. (also written A♯add9)
How to play B♭add9
- Lay your index finger flat across the top 5 strings at fret 3, pressing just behind the fret.
- Put your middle finger on the low E string at fret 6.
- Put your ring finger on the high E string at fret 6.
- Strum all six strings.
1 index · 2 middle · 3 ring · 4 little
Chords in the key of B♭ major
These are the chords built on each note of the B♭ major scale, so they all sound good together with B♭add9. The Roman numeral under each one is its position in the key.
Other B♭ chords
B♭add9 chord questions
What notes are in a B♭add9 chord?
B♭add9 is made of B♭, D, F and C. In intervals that is 1, 3, 5, 9 above the root, B♭.
What is the easiest way to play B♭add9?
The first shape above is the most common one: 6 3 3 3 3 6 from the low E string to the high E, where x means don't play that string and 0 means play it open. Start there, and try the other shapes once it feels comfortable.
Is B♭add9 a barre chord?
The main shape uses a barre, where one finger holds down several strings at once. Press just behind the fret and roll the finger slightly onto its side.