Added ninth chords are major chords with the 9th scale step (same as the 2nd scale step) added on top. They are not the same thing as a 9th chord. 9th chords are a totally different animal and are built upon 7th chords. They use the 7th scale step whereas added 9th chords do not.

Don’t look at added 9th chords as a new chord group with new patterns to  learn, because they are not. They are built upon the 5 basic major chord patterns: C, A, G, E, and D.

To create an added 9th with a major chord you simply must add or take away a finger.  They are similar to suspended 4th chords in that they create a subtle harmonic tension by adding an extra note that sounds like it wants to resolve back to the original chord. They are seldom used as a “stand alone” chord, but instead used in conjunction with the originating major chord. They also sound good mixed in  with suspended 4th chords, too.

Barred Added Ninth Chords

C added 9th Barred

A added 9th Barred

G Added 9th Barred

E Added 9th Barred

D Added 9th Barred