Aadd9 Ukulele Chord

Aadd9 is the A added ninth chord. It has four notes: A, C sharp, E and B. The standard shape is the plain A chord with the ring finger added at the 2nd fret of the A string, where the B lives, and the E string still open.

The plain A shape plus the ring finger at the 2nd fret of the A string, where the B lives. Three fingers, E string open.

How to play Aadd9 on ukulele, step by step

Index finger: 1st fret, C string
Middle finger: 2nd fret, G string
Ring finger: 2nd fret, A string
Leave the E string open. Strum all four strings.

Plain A is two fingers and Aadd9 is the same two plus one more. Practise switching between them: dropping the ring finger on and off the A string is a colour change many songs use on purpose.

More ways to play Aadd9

There are 3 common Aadd9 shapes: the standard one at the top of the page, plus these further up the neck. You only ever need one. Tap any card to hear it.

Aadd9 ukulele chord diagram, barre at fret 4, played 4454 — Barre at fret 4

Aadd9 ukulele chord diagram, frets 6 to 9, played 6977 — Frets 6 to 9

If it buzzes or sounds wrong

The open E string dies: The index finger on the C string tends to sag across its neighbour. Curl it up on its tip so the E string underneath rings free.
The B sounds weak: The ring finger lands on the A string right next to the middle finger's fret. Keep it close behind the 2nd fret and press straight down so the added ninth speaks.
Fingers feel crowded at the 2nd fret: Two fingers share the 2nd fret here. Stagger them: middle finger back in the fret space, ring finger right up against the fret wire.

What makes it an Aadd9

A · C♯ · E · B 1 3 5 9

Aadd9 is an A major triad (A, C sharp, E) with a ninth added: B. The ninth is the second note of the A scale moved up an octave, and because the third (C sharp) stays in, the chord still sounds fully major, just brighter.

It does the same jobs plain A does: the I chord in A, the IV in E, the V in D. The added B belongs to all three keys, so the swap is nearly always safe. Four strings carry all four notes, nothing doubled and nothing dropped.

Aadd9 vs Asus2

Both chords add a B to A, but Asus2 removes the third (C sharp) to make room for it, while Aadd9 keeps the third and stacks the B alongside. Aadd9 stays clearly major with extra shimmer; Asus2 is hollow and undecided.

The two shapes are close cousins on a ukulele: from Aadd9, lift the index off the C string and you are holding Asus2. Flicking between them is the quickest way to hear what the third does.

Aadd9 chord questions

Is Aadd9 easy on the ukulele?

Yes. It is the plain A chord with one more finger: ring finger on the 2nd fret of the A string. Three fingers, no barre, one open string.

What is the difference between Aadd9 and A9?

A9 also contains a flat seventh, G, which makes it a dominant chord with a blues flavour. Aadd9 adds only the B and stays a bright major chord.

What is the difference between Aadd9 and Asus2?

Both contain a B, but Asus2 removes the third (C sharp) and floats, while Aadd9 keeps the third and still sounds major.

Can I play Aadd9 instead of A?

Usually yes, especially in the keys of A, D and E where the added B belongs. If the melody clashes, go back to plain A.

Where does the ninth sit in this shape?

On the A string, 2nd fret: the highest string of the ukulele. That is why the colour of this voicing is so obvious; the added note is on top of the chord.