G Added 9th Chord

Chord Tones: G Added 9th Chord

Symbol: add9, add2 — Formula: 1-3-5-9

Degree	Note	Frequency (A=440, Equal)
1	G	391.995 Hz
3	B	493.883 Hz
5	D	293.665 Hz
9	A	440.000 Hz

Chord Notation

Notation Type	Symbol / Value
Lead Sheet Symbol	Gadd9
All Common Symbols	add9, add2
Interval Formula	1-3-5-9
Harmonic Category	bright

Roman numeral (e.g. I, IV, V) and Nashville Number notation are key-dependent. See Keys pages for chord function within specific keys.

Inversions

Inversion	Notes (low to high)	Bass Note	Slash Notation
Root Position	G – B – D – A	G	G Added 9th Chord
First Inversion	B – D – A – G	B	G Added 9th Chord/B
Second Inversion	D – A – G – B	D	G Added 9th Chord/D
Third Inversion	A – G – B – D	A	G Added 9th Chord/A

Harmonic Function

The G add9 chord commonly functions as the dominant (V) in C major — strongest resolution point. Its harmonic role varies by key — in major keys it provides stable harmonic grounding.

The add9 chord adds a ninth (octave + second) to a major triad without including the seventh. It has a bright, open sound, richer than a plain major chord but less complex than a major ninth.

Common Progressions

The G Added 9th Chord frequently appears in these progression patterns (shown in Roman numeral notation relative to key):

Iadd9-IVadd9
Iadd9-V

Songs Featuring the Added 9th Chord

Well-known songs where the G Added 9th Chord — or this chord type — plays a prominent role:

Every Breath You Take – The Police
With or Without You – U2
Right Here Waiting – Richard Marx

Tuning Frequencies Across Temperaments

Frequencies shown at A=440 Hz. View full temperament data for any note.

Note	Equal Temp.	Pythagorean	Just Intonation
G	391.995 Hz	391.111 Hz	392.438 Hz
B	493.883 Hz	495.000 Hz	490.548 Hz
D	293.665 Hz	293.332 Hz	294.329 Hz
A	440.000 Hz	440.000 Hz	436.043 Hz

Scales Containing the G Added 9th Chord

These scales include the G Added 9th Chord as a diatonic or characteristic chord:

G major G lydian Added 9th Chord in all roots