Added-Tone Piano Chords
Added-tone chords keep the triad and add an extra color note — most commonly the ninth — without introducing a seventh. The result is open and contemporary, ideal for ballads and ambient textures.
Chord formulas in this category
| Type | Formula | Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| Add 9 | 1 – 3 – 5 – 9 | Open in Explorer |
Formulas use the shared chord-theory registry (add9). Notes on each chord page are generated from that same source of truth.
Example chords
Browse All Added Chords
Every added chord page in the library, organized by root.
Practice and explore
Related categories
Frequently asked questions
- What is an add9 chord?
- A major triad plus the ninth (second). Cadd9 is C – E – G – D. There is no seventh, which keeps the sound clearer than C9.
- When should I use add9 instead of a 9th chord?
- Choose add9 when you want sparkle without dominant tension. Use a 9th chord when the flat seventh (or major seventh for maj9) belongs in the harmony.
Browse all qualities: Add 9.