Fadd9 chord
Fadd9 is F, A, C and G: 1–3–5–9 built on F. Here it is on guitar, piano and ukulele. Tap Play on any of them.
On guitar
x-x-3-2-1-3 · movable · medium
- Notes
- F · A · C · G
- Formula
- 1 · 3 · 5 · 9
- First shape
- x-x-3-2-1-3
Fadd9 on guitar: every shape, finger by finger
On piano
root position · F–A–C–G · right hand 1-2-3-5
- Notes
- F · A · C · G
- Formula
- 1 · 3 · 5 · 9
Fadd9 on piano: fingering and inversions
On ukulele
0-0-1-0 · open · easy
- Notes
- F · A · C · G
- Formula
- 1 · 3 · 5 · 9
- First shape
- 0-0-1-0
Where Fadd9 usually goes next
Three changes cover most of what Fadd9 does in songs.
- Fadd9 → B♭ (IV in F major)
Guitar: Fadd9 (x-x-3-2-1-3) to B♭ (x-1-3-3-3-1): the index finger lays across the A to high E strings at the 1st fret, the middle finger goes to the D string, 3rd fret, the ring finger slides across to the G string at the same fret. Nothing carries over, so drill it slowly, lifting and landing all fingers at once. Listen for F, which stays put while the rest moves.
Piano: Fadd9 to B♭: play B♭ in 2nd inversion (F–B♭–D) and F stays under the same finger, while A moves up to B♭ and C up to D. B♭ - Fadd9 → C (V in F major)
Guitar: Fadd9 (x-x-3-2-1-3) to C (x-3-2-0-1-0): your index finger stays put, the middle finger slides across to the D string at the same fret, the ring finger slides across to the A string at the same fret. Shared notes: C and G.
Piano: Fadd9 to C: play C in root position (C–E–G) and C and G stay under the same fingers, while A moves up to E. C - Fadd9 → Dm (vi in F major)
Guitar: Fadd9 (x-x-3-2-1-3) to Dm (x-x-0-2-3-1): your middle finger stays put, the index finger slides across to the high E string at the same fret, the ring finger goes to the B string, 3rd fret. F and A carry over from one chord to the other.
Piano: Fadd9 to Dm: play Dm in 1st inversion (F–A–D) and F and A stay under the same fingers, while C moves up to D. Dm
Guitar with a capo: capo 1, Eadd9 shape; capo 5, Cadd9 shape. Ukulele with a capo: capo 5, Cadd9 shape.
How Fadd9 is built
Fadd9 is F major with the ninth (the note a whole step above the root, an octave up) added. It keeps the bright major sound and adds a shimmer; guitarists love it because the open shapes ring.
Count keys (black and white) from F: 4 half steps up to A, 3 half steps up to C then 7 half steps up to G.
| Note | Role | Half steps | Hear it |
|---|---|---|---|
| F | root | 0 | |
| A | major third | 4 | |
| C | perfect fifth | 7 | |
| G | ninth | 14 |
Keys and progressions with Fadd9
No major or natural minor key contains Fadd9 as one of its own chords; it turns up as a passing chord on the way somewhere else.
Chords close to Fadd9
Chords that share most of their notes with Fadd9: F9, Csus4, F, Fsus2, C6, Cm6.
Every F chord
Fadd9 chord: questions
What notes are in the Fadd9 chord?
F, A, C and G. Fadd9 is built 1–3–5–9 from F: A is the major third, C is the perfect fifth and G is the ninth.
How do you play Fadd9 on guitar?
The usual shape is x-x-3-2-1-3 (movable). All 4 guitar shapes.
How do you play Fadd9 on piano?
Play F, A, C and G with right-hand fingers 1-2-3-5. F sits just left of the group of three black keys. Inversions and left hand.
How do you play Fadd9 on ukulele?
0-0-1-0 in standard GCEA tuning. More ukulele shapes.
What key is Fadd9 in?
No major or natural minor key contains Fadd9 as one of its own chords; it turns up as a passing chord on the way somewhere else.
What's the difference between Fadd9 and F?
Fadd9 is F plus G.
Every diagram on this page is generated from the notes F, A, C and G and checked automatically so the sound matches the drawing. Updated September 2026.