Ebadd9 Guitar Chord

Ebadd9 is the E flat added ninth chord. It has four notes: E♭, G, B♭ and F. The standard shape sits on the middle four strings between the 3rd and 6th frets with no barre, root on the A string.

Root on the A string at the 6th fret, index back at the 3rd fret of the G string: a four fret span across the middle four strings.

How to play Ebadd9, step by step

Index finger: 3rd fret, G string
Middle finger: 5th fret, D string
Ring finger: 6th fret, A string
Pinky finger: 6th fret, B string
Strum only the A and D and G and B strings, and stop the downstroke at the B.

The grip is movable: two frets down the identical fingering plays C#add9. The second voicing on this page is the same chord with the root on the D string instead.

More ways to play Ebadd9

There are 2 common Ebadd9 shapes in total: the standard one at the top of the page, plus these, easiest first. You only ever need one. Tap any card to hear it.

Ebadd9 guitar chord diagram, compact, frets 11 to 13, played x x 13 12 11 13 — Compact, frets 11 to 13

If it buzzes or sounds wrong

The high E string rings by accident: It is not part of the shape. Stop the downstroke at the B string, or let the pad of the pinky rest against the high E to keep it quiet.
The low E rumbles in: Start the strum at the A string. The ring finger holding the root there can lean its tip against the low E to mute it.
The index reach feels too far: The index sits three frets behind the others, at the 3rd fret of the G string. Point the elbow slightly forward so the hand opens along the neck instead of across it.

What makes it an Ebadd9

E♭ · G · B♭ · F 1 3 5 9

Ebadd9 is an E flat major triad (E♭, G, B♭) with an F added, the ninth. The ninth is the second note of the E flat scale moved up an octave, and because the third (G) stays in place, the chord remains fully major with extra air on top.

It does the jobs plain E flat does: the I chord in E flat, the IV chord in B flat, the V chord in A flat. Those are horn and gospel keys; on guitar the chord usually appears when a capo is off the table and the arrangement asks for flat key colour.

Ebadd9 vs Ebsus2

Both chords add an F to E flat, but Ebsus2 removes the third (G) to make room for it, while Ebadd9 keeps the third and stacks the F on top. Ebadd9 still sounds like E flat major, only brighter; Ebsus2 floats, neither major nor minor.

Ebsus2 is a barre shape, while the standard Ebadd9 here is four separate fingers, which makes the add9 the easier of the two on this root.

Ebadd9 chord questions

Is Ebadd9 the same as D#add9?

Yes, one chord with two names. E flat suits the flat keys this chord lives in, so it is the spelling used here.

What is the difference between Ebadd9 and Eb9?

Eb9 also contains a D flat, the flat seventh, which makes it a dominant chord. Ebadd9 adds only the F and stays a bright major chord.

What is the difference between Ebadd9 and Ebsus2?

Both contain an F, but Ebsus2 removes the third (G) and floats, while Ebadd9 keeps the third and still sounds fully major.

Is there an easy Ebadd9?

The standard shape here is as easy as this chord gets: four fingers between the 3rd and 6th frets, no barre, and only four strings to strum.

Where is Ebadd9 used?

As a brighter E flat in the keys of E flat, B flat and A flat. It is a piano key colour that guitarists borrow in soul, gospel and worship material.