The Cadd9 chord is similar to the regular C Major chord, but uses a slightly different fingering to in order to include a D note (or a 9th) in the chord. This gives it an extra tone color that can be used to support a melody.

The most common form of Cadd9 is played in open position at the base of the neck (pictured left).  This version of the chord is used often in many modern and contemporary songs.

This chord is comprised of the following notes in the key of C major:
C (root), E (3rd), G (5th), D (9th)

The Cadd9 chord uses the top five strings of the guitar. Practice playing this chord by itself, using either your fingers or a guitar pick. Keep playing this chord, strumming rhythmically up and down, until you're consistently hitting the bottom five strings and not brushing the top string by mistake.

When you're learning to play guitar chords, always focus on playing the correct strings and notes in the form.

Practice playing the Cadd9 chord by itself, using either your fingers or a guitar pick. Keep playing this chord, strumming rhythmically up and down, until you're consistently hitting the bottom five strings and not brushing the top string by mistake.

Now that you know the Cadd9 chord shape, play each string individually and make sure that you can hear each note clearly. If one of the strings makes a muted or buzzing sound, it means one of two things: either you're not pressing the string down firmly enough or a finger on one of the other strings is touching that string by mistake and muffling the sound. Make sure that all of your fingers are pointing as straight up and down as possible, and that you're pressing the strings as close to the wood of the guitar neck as possible. Once you get the chord coming out smoothly, try finding and playing a song that uses it. Keep practicing until you can play the song of your choice all the way through without stopping.