Add chords

Added tone chords are major triads with an extra note added. They are abbreviated "add" and there are mainly two types: add9 and add2 (there are also the less common add11 and add4). In the add9 the ninth tone in the scale is added and for the add2 the second tone in the scale is added.

See diagrams of add chords*:

C add D add E add F add G add A add B add

Cm add Dm add Em add Fm add Gm add Am add Bm add

C add11 D add11 E add11 F add11 G add11 A add11 B add11

* To avoid too high information density, only naturals are listed. You can easily reach, for example C#add or Dbadd, by first click on "C add" and when click on to the next chord.

Theory

Some theory of this chord category are presented here.

Comparing the C Major Chord with the two main types of added chords:

C: C – E – G
Cadd9: C – E – G – D
Cadd2: C – D – E – G

As you may notice it is actually the same tone that is added to the C Major, but on different octaves. Some theory of this chord category are presented here.

Comparing the C Major Chord with the less common add11 and add4:

C: C – E – G
Cadd11: C – E – G – F
Cadd4: C – E – F – G

In other words: add11 and add4 includes the same notes, but with different order. The eleventh is the same note as the fourth, but reaching into the next octave.

A comparison between a regular C minor chord and a minor added chords would look like:

Cm: C – Eb – G
Cmadd9: C – Eb – G – D
Cmadd2: C – D - Eb – G

It should also be mentioned that add6 exists and are played by the same principles as explained above. This variant are, however, very rare. Also, 6add9 exist, but are more commonly written 6/9.

Chord categories