How to play piano Keyboard add9 and exercises

 Opening the Beauty of the Piano Add9 Chord: An Introduction to How to Play and Use It

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The piano is a universe of harmonic possibility, with every chord opening up new emotional ground. And of these rich harmonic tools, the Add9 chord stands alone in its brilliant, sweeping beauty. Whether you are a composer looking to introduce color into your chords or a pianist looking to add expressive depth, the Add9 chord is a simple yet powerful way to elevate your music. Here's everything you need to know about why the Add9 chord stands out, how to use it, and why you'll love it.

What Is a Piano Add9 Chord?

The Add9 chord is a triad with an added ninth—i.e., it's constructed out of root, third, fifth, and ninth of a scale. Unlike a sus9 or a dominant ninth, though, the Add9 does not include a seventh. This keeps the chord harmonically open, avoiding the tension of typical ninth chords but keeping their ethereal feel.


For example:

C Add9 consists of C - E - G - D (Root - Major Third - Perfect Fifth - Major Ninth)

D Add9 consists of D - F# - A - E

G Add9 consists of G - B - D - A


Performed on the piano, this chord sounds lush and dreamy. The added ninth—a whole step above the root—has an airy, unresolved flavor to it, and can evoke a sense of wonder, nostalgia, or even longing.


How Is the Add9 Chord Used in Music?

The Add9 chord appears in all types of music, from pop and jazz standards to classical compositions and film scores. It's employed in some of the following ways:


1. Adding Lushness to Chord Progressions

One of the most useful things to do with the Add9 chord is to replace root triads. Instead of playing a simple C major chord, using C Add9 adds richness to the sound. This is very useful when used to accompany vocals or when composing ambient music.


2. Providing Emotional Depth to Ballads

Most songwriters rely on the Add9 to write introspective or heartfelt ballads. The muted dissonance of the ninth adds a tender touch that makes a progression sound genuine.


3. Adding Motion to Stuck Chords

The Add9 chord sounds great broken or arpeggiated. Starting from the root and ninth and arpeggiating up and down gives a smooth, waterfall sound often used in ambient and cinematic music.


4. Extending Jazz and Neo-Soul Harmony

In jazz and neo-soul, where there are so many extended chords, the Add9 can serve as a stepping stone to more advanced harmonies. Adding a ninth to major chords provides the subtle shading that jazz pianists seek.


Add9 vs Sus2 Chords

Beginners might confuse Add9 chords with sus2 chords as both contain a ninth-degree note. There is, however, a very differentiating point:

A sus2 chord replaces the third with the second, which sounds more questionable.

An Add9 chord keeps the third but adds the ninth, with a full major or minor harmony.


To illustrate, C Add9 (C - E - G - D) keeps the major third (E), while C sus2 (C - D - G) omits the third altogether.


Playing Add9 Chords Successfully on Piano

To maximize the use of Add9 chords, use these techniques:

Voicing Is Important: Experiment with where you place the ninth. Keeping the ninth in a higher octave seems to give it a more airy, open sound.

Arpeggiation: Instead of sounding the chord as a large block, experiment with arpeggiating it into individual notes for improved playability.

Inversions: Changing the ninth to a different position within an inversion can transform the personality of the chord dramatically.

Pedaling with Pedal: Using the sustain pedal, the ninth sounds out so richly to create a broad resonating sound.


Playing Add9 chords through practice can get you fluid, strong, and musically intuitive. Below are exercises you can include in your piano practice:


1. Basic Chord Voicing Exercise
  Play a C Add9 chord (C - E - G - D) in root position.
  Play D Add9, G Add9, and A Add9 using the same voicing concept.
  Do this in different keys to become accustomed to Add9 shapes everywhere on the keyboard.

2. Arpeggio Exercise
 Instead of playing the Add9 chord as a block, break it down into its constituent notes.
 So with C Add9, play C - E - G - D - G - E - C (up and down).
Build up speed gradually while playing smoothly.

3. Inversion Exercise
   Play C Add9 in first inversion (E - G - D - C) and second inversion (G - D - C - E).
  Try each inversion in a few keys.
  Try voicing the ninth higher or lower for different colorations.

4. Chord Progression Exercise
  Try C Add9 → G Add9 → D Add9 → A Add9 in succession.
  Experiment with changing the rhythm of each chord (e.g., four beats sustained, then two, then one).
  Apply this to real musical contexts to hear how Add9 chords function in progressions.

5. Pedal and Sustain Control
  Play an Add9 chord, sustaining with the sustain pedal down.
  Release the pedal and compare the resonance.
  Experiment with soft pedal (una corda) for an even softer sound.

6. Composition Challenge
  Write a four-bar melody using Add9 chords.
  Start on C Add9, then find a natural melodic path to other chords.
  Try out different rhythmic interests and arpeggiated runs.

7. Incorporating into a Song
  Take a song and replace normal major chords with Add9 chords where they naturally fall.
  Notice the change in sound and the added feeling it brings to the harmony.

Conclusion: Why Add9 Chords Take Your Playing to the Next Level

Add9 chord is a simple yet groundbreaking instrument for pianists to add emotional depth and harmonic richness to any piece. Employed discreetly or boldly, its shimmering quality can make your music more expressive and compelling.


The next time you're at the piano, try adding Add9 chords to your progressions. Listen as they transform the mood and summon new possibilities to your playing. Music is about discovery—and the Add9 chord is a great way to begin an adventure.

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