LearnJazzPiano.com archives: add 2 & add 9... no real difference right?
mindful -- 12/13/2004, 00:56:53 -- #9636
hey guys.  I saw this question come up on a gospel music website.  The replies there seemed to be a lot more opinionated than factual.  So I want to see what some of you guys thought about this question here:

"When is a chord called an add2 chord, as opposed to a ninth chord?
Is it called an add2 when there is no seventh?
Is there such thing as a ninth+2 chord?"

also... this person asked:

"In the case of a C major triad... a Cadd2 is when the "D" is voiced adjacent to the "C", and a Cadd9 is when the "D" is voiced away from the "C" (a 9th), regardless of the inversion used."

What do you guys think on this theory question.  Is it really important to know small differences for 2nds and 9ths in situations like this?  Thanks

Jazz+ -- 12/13/2004, 07:22:14 -- #9641
In my opinion it is called an add 2 when there is no seventh intended.
D is the add 2 in thgis voicing for a C chord:
C Add 2: CDEG

It is called a 9th when it is an extension of a 7th chord. It can be voiced or inverted in any postition.D is the 9th in this four note rootless voicing for C7
C7: E A Bb D


"Is there such thing as a ninth +2 chord?"
Answer: It is nothing I think about or use.

albetan -- 12/13/2004, 09:18:00 -- #9644
You build chords skipping by thirds:
  C  E  G  B/Bb D  F/F# A  C  (See file "Extended chords")
So D is a 9th. Sometimes may be as a second, like example given by Jazz+: C D E G.
F is 11th. You may find also C7sus4.
A is a  13th. You may find also C6, Cm6

Dr. Whack -- 12/13/2004, 11:53:03 -- #9649
The word "add" makes the difference...an "add 2" & "add 9" are the same thing...a 9th (without "add") is an extension of the seventh chord

Mike -- 12/13/2004, 14:13:18 -- #9656
2 usually implies a cluster type voicing as opposed to a 9
which is implying nothing specific about voicing or placement.
a 9 chord also as artist says is an extension of the seventh chord while
the 2 chord is not.  Steely Dan for example tried to claim ownership of the 2 chord by voicing it close cdeg for c2  and calling it a MU chord. and sprinkling all Steely Dan tunes liberally with this voicing.

Billy -- 12/13/2004, 15:15:42 -- #9659
C2 is that chord evil pop guitarists came up with because they dont like anything beyond a 7th.

But, Cadd9 and C2 would be the same thing. Im my experiences with stupid music (pop), people seem to call it _2 rather than _add9. I dont  know why this is, perhaps someone can shed some light on it?

mindful -- 12/13/2004, 17:40:12 -- #9662
hey guys, thanks for responding.  That deffinitely cleared some things up.

later

7 -- 12/13/2004, 22:49:39 -- #9665
C2 = C D G
aka Csus2
A "2" chord contains no 3rd

Cadd9 = C D E G
An "add9" (or "add2") chord contains the 3rd.

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