Eadd9 Ukulele Chord

Eadd9 is the E added ninth chord. It has four notes: E, G sharp, B and F sharp. Like plain E, it is one of the ukulele's harder shapes: four fingers between the 1st and 4th frets, with the pinky making the long reach to the C string.

Four fingers between the 1st and 4th frets: index on the G string, middle and ring at the 2nd fret on the E and A strings, pinky reaching the 4th on the C string.

How to play Eadd9 on ukulele, step by step

Index finger: 1st fret, G string
Middle finger: 2nd fret, E string
Ring finger: 2nd fret, A string
Pinky finger: 4th fret, C string
Strum all four strings.

The shape has no open strings, so it moves: slide everything down one fret and the same grip plays Ebadd9, up one and it is Fadd9.

More ways to play Eadd9

There are 3 common Eadd9 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.

Eadd9 ukulele chord diagram, barre at fret 4, played 4647 — Barre at fret 4

Eadd9 ukulele chord diagram, frets 7 to 9, played 9879 — Frets 7 to 9

If it buzzes or feels cramped

The pinky reach to the 4th fret collapses: Set the pinky first, then place the other three fingers under it. Building the shape from the hardest note down beats stretching to it last.
The middle strings are muffled: The middle and ring fingers sit at the 2nd fret on the E and A strings while the pinky crosses over them to the C string. Arch everything and test the C and E strings one pluck at a time.
The chord sounds sour: Four fretted strings means four chances to slip a fret. The pairs to check: G string at 1, C string at 4, E and A strings both at 2.

What makes it an Eadd9

E · G♯ · B · F♯ 1 3 5 9

Eadd9 is an E major triad (E, G sharp, B) with a ninth added: F sharp. The ninth is the second note of the E scale moved up an octave, and because the third (G sharp) stays in the chord, Eadd9 keeps its major character and gains air.

It is the I chord of E, the IV of B and the V of A, and the added F sharp belongs to all three keys. Plain E is famously the chord ukulele players avoid; the add9 is no easier, but when a song in E wants shimmer, this is where it lives.

Eadd9 vs Esus2

Both chords add an F sharp to E, but Esus2 removes the third (G sharp) to make room for it, while Eadd9 keeps the third and stacks the F sharp alongside. Eadd9 stays clearly major with extra brightness; Esus2 floats, neither major nor minor.

If the melody leans on the G sharp, only the add9 will do. If the moment wants suspense before settling, the sus2 is the one that resolves.

Eadd9 chord questions

Why is Eadd9 hard on the ukulele?

The same reason plain E is: the notes of E major avoid the open strings, so everything must be fretted, and here the four notes span four frets. It is a real four finger shape.

Is there an easier Eadd9?

The barre version at the 4th fret trades the spread for a small barre plus two reaches. Neither shape is beginner territory; pick the one your hand argues with less.

What is the difference between Eadd9 and E9?

E9 also contains a flat seventh, D, which makes it a dominant chord with a blues flavour. Eadd9 adds only the F sharp and stays a bright major chord.

What is the difference between Eadd9 and Esus2?

Both contain an F sharp, but Esus2 removes the third (G sharp) and floats, while Eadd9 keeps the third and still sounds fully major.

Can I play Eadd9 instead of E?

Musically yes, in the keys of E, A and B where the added F sharp belongs. It will not rescue the fingering, but it does soften the sound of a stiff chord.