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Ebadd9 Chord

Ebadd9 keeps the E flat major triad and adds F, its ninth. The major third remains, so this is different from a sus2 chord, which replaces the third.

  • Notes: E flat-G-B flat-F
  • Symbol: Ebadd9
  • Iadd9 in Eb major
  • Added ninth
Switch chordEbadd9

How to play an Ebadd9 chord

Notes: Eb - G - Bb - F · symbol Ebadd9

  • Root position

    Eb - G - Bb - F
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-2-3-5 · Left 5-3-2-1

  • 1st inversion

    G - Bb - F - Eb
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-2-3-5 · Left 5-4-2-1

  • 2nd inversion

    Bb - F - Eb - G
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-2-4-5 · Left 5-3-2-1

  • 3rd inversion

    F - Eb - G - Bb
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-2-4-5 · Left 5-3-2-1

Where does Ebadd9 belong?

The ninth adds color to an otherwise familiar major chord without replacing its third.
Play the role cards to hear how its surrounding chords change the job it does; Diatonic Chords explains the basic numbered roles.

  • In Eb majorHome with shimmer
    Iadd9

    The ninth sits on top of a plain major chord, without a seventh.

    AbIVBbVEbadd9Iadd9
  • In Bb majorBright step away
    IVadd9

    The IV of Bb major with an added ninth.

    BbIEbadd9IVadd9FVBbI

Progressions to try

  • AbBbEbadd9

    Ebadd9 is the tonic arrival; the added ninth remains above the familiar major triad.

  • BbEbadd9FBb

    Here the added ninth colors the IV chord while the loop still ends on the ordinary tonic.

Which shape should you use?

On guitar, start with x65363, a barre at the 3rd fret.

On ukulele, the open shape 0311 is the easiest place to start. 3536 gives a higher version.

On piano, play E flat-G-B flat-F. Move E flat up an octave to reach the first inversion, G-B flat-F-E flat; the notes remain the same while the lowest voice changes.

What are the inversions?

E flat, G and B flat make the major triad; F adds the ninth, an octave plus a second above the root.

  • Root position: E flat-G-B flat-F, with E flat lowest.
  • First inversion: G-B flat-F-E flat, written Ebadd9/G if G is lowest in the whole arrangement.
  • Second inversion: B flat-F-E flat-G, written Ebadd9/Bb if B flat is lowest in the whole arrangement.
  • Third inversion: F-E flat-G-B flat, written Ebadd9/F if F is lowest in the whole arrangement.

A slash chord names the note in the bass, not merely the lowest note under one hand. Chord Inversions shows how to read that distinction.

How does Ebadd9 differ from Eb9?

Ebadd9 has the third and ninth but no seventh. Add D flat and you get Eb9; the comparer lets you hear what that extra seventh changes. Try that one-note change on piano, then use the comparer to hear it in the full chord. See Eb9 for the other chord's full spelling and roles.

  • Ebadd9

    Eb - G - Bb - F
    C4C5

    Eb add9

  • Eb9

    Eb - G - Bb - Db - F
    C4C5

    Eb dominant 9

Try another chord