Add9 & Sixth Chords
Not every colorful chord needs a 7th. Add9 and 6 chords sneak in extra color while keeping that open, unresolved 7th out of the picture entirely.
Add9: a 9th without the 7th
A 9th chord like maj9 stacks thirds all the way up through the 7th to the 9th. An add9 chord skips that step — it's just a plain triad with the 9th added directly: 0-4-7-14 semitones for Cadd9. Cleaner and less "jazzy" than a full 9th chord, but still colorful.
6 chords: borrowing from the 6th degree
A 6 chord takes the same idea but reaches for the 6th scale degree instead of a 7th: 0-4-7-9 semitones for C6. Because it has no 7th at all, a 6 chord sounds bright, sweet, and fully resolved — a favorite way to end a song on something more interesting than a plain triad.
Common questions
What is an add9 chord?
A triad with the 9th added directly, skipping the 7th — Cadd9 is 0-4-7-14 semitones.
What is a 6 chord?
A triad with the 6th scale degree added instead of a 7th — C6 is 0-4-7-9 semitones, sounding sweet rather than tense.
How is add9 different from a 9th chord?
A full 9th chord includes the 7th on the way to the 9th; add9 skips the 7th for a cleaner color.
Why use a 6 chord instead of a maj7?
It sounds fully resolved, making it a popular substitute for a final tonic chord where a maj7's tension feels less conclusive.
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