G to Cadd9 chord change
Your index finger, middle finger and ring finger move across to another string on the same fret; your little finger goes down fresh. Your strumming hand changes too: G uses all six strings, Cadd9 starts on the A string.
Numbers are fingers: 1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little finger. o means play the string open, ✕ means don’t play it.
Finger by finger
- Moves across, same fretIndex finger (1) moves across from the A string to the D string, staying on the 2nd fret.
- Moves across, same fretMiddle finger (2) moves across from the low E string to the A string, staying on the 3rd fret.
- Moves across, same fretRing finger (3) moves across from the high e string to the B string, staying on the 3rd fret.
- Goes downLittle finger (4) goes down on the high e string, 3rd fret.
| Finger | On G | On Cadd9 | What it does |
|---|---|---|---|
| Index finger (1) | A string, 2nd fret | D string, 2nd fret | Moves across, same fret |
| Middle finger (2) | low E string, 3rd fret | A string, 3rd fret | Moves across, same fret |
| Ring finger (3) | high e string, 3rd fret | B string, 3rd fret | Moves across, same fret |
| Little finger (4) | not used | high e string, 3rd fret | Goes down |
How to practise G to Cadd9
- Play G and pick each string on its own. Fix any string that buzzes before you start changing.
- Lead with the middle finger. In Cadd9 it plays the lowest note (the A string, 3rd fret), which is the first string you strum, so aim it there first and let the other fingers follow.
- Do “ghost changes”: switch from G to Cadd9 and back 20 times without strumming. Lift your fingers only just off the strings, and land them all together.
- Now strum: four strums on G, four on Cadd9. When that is clean, try two strums each, then one.
- Time yourself with the trainer below: one minute, counting every clean change. Do it once a day and watch the number climb.
An easier way to play it
G to Cadd9 (G with the B string on the 3rd fret): the ring finger and little finger stay down. It is the same pair of chords, just fingered so the change is shorter.
- Moves across, same fretIndex finger (1) moves across from the A string to the D string, staying on the 2nd fret.
- Moves across, same fretMiddle finger (2) moves across from the low E string to the A string, staying on the 3rd fret.
- Stays putRing finger (3) stays put on the B string, 3rd fret.
- Stays putLittle finger (4) stays put on the high e string, 3rd fret.
One-minute G to Cadd9 trainer
Press Start, hold G through the count-in, then change back and forth for one minute. Tap the big button (or press the space bar) every time you land a clean chord. Your best score is kept.
Want other chords? Open the full chord change trainer.
Songs to use it in
None of the songs in our free library change straight from G to Cadd9 yet, but these use G, so the shape will come in handy.
G to Cadd9: questions
Which finger stays down when you change from G to Cadd9?
None stays in exactly the same place with the standard shapes. Your index finger, middle finger and ring finger move across to another string on the same fret; your little finger goes down fresh. With the easier fingering on this page, ring finger and little finger can stay in contact.
How do I change from G to Cadd9 faster?
Practise the change on its own, not inside a song. Lift your fingers only just off the strings, land them all at once, and lead with the finger that has the longest trip. Then do one minute of changes a day with a timer and count them. If it still feels slow, try the easier version: G to Cadd9.
How many G to Cadd9 changes a minute is good?
Count every clean change: G to Cadd9 is one, and back again is two. Around 30 in a minute is a solid start and enough for slow songs. At 40 most songs at a relaxed tempo start to flow, and at about 60 (one change a second) the change is ready for almost anything.
What songs use G and Cadd9?
Many guitarists play Cadd9 instead of C in songs in G, because two fingers can stay where they are.
Is Cadd9 to G the same as G to Cadd9?
It uses the same moves in reverse. Practise both directions: the trainer counts each switch either way.
More chord changes
Learn the chords in the right order
Fretwork’s lessons teach one chord at a time, with a ring test and a one-minute change check before you move on. The first two stages are free.