E add9 (Eadd9) chord on piano

Looking for the Eadd9 chord on piano? It is an add9 chord (a major triad plus a major ninth, no seventh), made of four notes: E – G♯ – B – F♯.

Root position: E4 – G♯4 – B4 – F♯5

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What the Eadd9 chord sounds like

An add9 chord is a major triad with an added ninth and no seventh. It sounds bright and shimmering – a favourite colour in acoustic pop.

Notes of the Eadd9 chord

Degree	Note	Interval from the root
1	E	root
3	G♯	major third (4 semitones)
5	B	perfect fifth (7 semitones)
9	F♯	major second (2 semitones)

Root position and inversions

An inversion uses the same notes, with a different note at the bottom. When you change chords, choosing the nearest inversion keeps your hand almost still.

Root position

E4 – G♯4 – B4 – F♯5

1st inversion

G♯4 – B4 – F♯5 – E5

2nd inversion

B4 – F♯5 – E5 – G♯5

3rd inversion

F♯5 – E5 – G♯5 – B5

Which keys is it in?

The Eadd9 chord is built from the notes of these keys (for minor keys, both the natural and the harmonic minor are considered):

E major: Iadd9 (tonic)
A major: Vadd9 (dominant)
B major: IVadd9 (subdominant)
F♯ minor: VIIadd9
C♯ minor: IIIadd9
G♯ minor: VIadd9

Similar chords and substitutes

If Eadd9 is too hard, or you want a different colour in the same spot, these chords are worth a try.

Substitutes (by function)

C♯m – relative minor: two shared notes, a common stand-in for the tonic
A♭m – mediant minor (iii): two shared notes
Emaj7 – a softer, jazzier tonic colour
Esus4 – suspended version that resolves back to this chord

Simpler versions

E – all 3 of its notes are in this chord
Esus2 – all 3 of its notes are in this chord

Richer versions

E9 – the same chord plus 1 colour note
Emaj9 – the same chord plus 1 colour note
E11 – the same chord plus 2 colour notes
E13 – the same chord plus 2 colour notes

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the Eadd9 chord?

E, G♯, B, F♯. The root is E; the intervals of the other notes from the root: major third, perfect fifth, major second.

How do I play the Eadd9 chord on piano?

In root position, the right hand usually plays with fingers 1, 3 and 5 (thumb, middle finger, little finger); four-note chords with fingers 1, 2, 3 and 5. The left hand mirrors this: 5, 3, 1. In an inversion the top or bottom note moves to the other side, so your hand moves less when you change chords.

How is the Eadd9 chord written?

The chord symbol is Eadd9, and its full name is E add9.