How do you play the C add9/D chord?

To play the C add9/D chord on piano, play the C add9 chord (C, E, G and D) with D as the lowest bass note. Place the D note below the other chord tones. Slash chords specify a particular bass note different from the chord root.

What is a slash chord?

A slash chord (or compound chord) is written as Chord/Bass and specifies both a chord and a bass note. The note to the right of the slash is played as the lowest note. The C add9/D chord means a C add9 chord with D in the bass.

C add9/D

Q: What notes are in the C add9/D chord?

The C add9/D chord uses the 4 notes of the C add9 chord — C (Perfect unison), E (Major third), G (Perfect fifth) and D (Major ninth) — with D played as the bass note in the lowest register.

The C add9 chord consists of the C (Perfect unison), E (Major third), G (Perfect fifth) and D (Major ninth) notes, with D as the bass note.

Piano keyboard showing the notes for a C add9/D chord

How to play the C add9/D chord

Play D as the lowest bass note in the left hand
Find C (Root) on the piano keyboard
Add E (Major third) — 4 semitones above C
Add G (Perfect fifth) — 7 semitones above C
Add D (Major ninth) — 14 semitones above C
Press all 5 notes simultaneously to sound the C add9/D chord

Related chords with different root

C add2
C add9
E m7(#5)
E m7(alt)

Related slash chords

C major/D
E m(#5)/D