F add9 (Fadd9) chord on piano

The F add9 chord (Fadd9) is an add9 chord (a major triad plus a major ninth, no seventh), made of four notes: F – A – C – G.

Root position: F4 – A4 – C5 – G5

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What the Fadd9 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 Fadd9 chord

Degree	Note	Interval from the root
1	F	root
3	A	major third (4 semitones)
5	C	perfect fifth (7 semitones)
9	G	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

F4 – A4 – C5 – G5

1st inversion

A4 – C5 – G5 – F5

2nd inversion

C5 – G5 – F5 – A5

3rd inversion

G5 – F5 – A5 – C6

Which keys is it in?

The Fadd9 chord is built from the notes of these keys (for minor keys, both the natural and the harmonic minor are considered):

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

Similar chords and substitutes

If Fadd9 is too hard, or you want a different colour in the same spot, these chords are worth a try.

Substitutes (by function)

Dm – relative minor: two shared notes, a common stand-in for the tonic
Am – mediant minor (iii): two shared notes
Fmaj7 – a softer, jazzier tonic colour
Fsus4 – suspended version that resolves back to this chord

Simpler versions

F – all 3 of its notes are in this chord
Fsus2 – all 3 of its notes are in this chord

Richer versions

F9 – the same chord plus 1 colour note
Fmaj9 – the same chord plus 1 colour note
F11 – the same chord plus 2 colour notes
F13 – the same chord plus 2 colour notes

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the Fadd9 chord?

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

How do I play the Fadd9 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 Fadd9 chord written?

The chord symbol is Fadd9, and its full name is F add9.