Chord a Day, January 9th - Cadd2

Learn a new chord everyday of January.

Published: 01 Jan 2013 Updated: 01 Jan 2013Visits: 13Code: ULCAD0109

Category: ChordsInstrument: Ukulele Subjects: Chords

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Chord a Day, January 9th - Cadd2


Learn a new Ukulele chord every day of the year. The chord for January 9th is Cadd2.

Cadd2 is a great contemporary chord in wide use in a variety of styles.

ULCAD0109

Root Position Cadd2

Chord a Day, January 9th - Cadd2 Lesson Video

Cadd2 is a great contemporary chord in wide use in a variety of styles.

An added tone chord, or added note chord, is a non-tertian (not built in thirds) chord composed of a tertian triad (built in thirds) and an extra added note. The added note is not a seventh (three thirds from the chord root), but typically a second or ninth note, which cannot be defined by a sequence of thirds from the root.

Harmonic Function for Cadd2

The Harmonic Function of a chord is simply how is a chord being used, in context with other chords in a song or chord progression. Here are the most common harmonic functions for today's chord.

For any Add chord, the added note, if diatonic to the current scale/tonality does not change the harmonic function of the chord.

Cadd2 is a Full Diatonic , primary chord in the common Major key(s) of: C (I) , F (V) , and G (IV)

Cadd2 is a Full Diatonic chord in the common Minor key(s) of: Am (III) Fm (V) , and Em (VI)

Harmonic Analysis, Scales and Modes

All harmonic and scale analysis utilizes Roman Numerals related to its major or parallel major scale (I II II IV V VII VII, the 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 of the major scale). Technically, the modes are the same or can use a number relative to its parallel major scale. You will see the latter more than the former.

Open Position Chords

Today's chord, Cadd2 is an Open Position chord.

Open Position Chords are any chord in the first four frets that include at least one open string.

Triads

Today's chord, Cadd2 is a triad.

Triads • A three note chord, traditionally Major, Minor, Diminished, and Augmented.With contemporary triads including sus and add chords.

A real key to learning these triads is really and finally Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard . Memorizing the root of each triad for transposing to other keys.

Todays' open position Cadd2 is a Contemporary Triad , is can be based on major triad with the root on string three. Raise the root two frets and you get an add2.

Core 4-part, a.k.a. Jazz Chords

Today's chord, Cadd2 is one of, or based on one of, the Big Six Core Jazz chords for creating your 4-part, contemporary chord foundation and Life Beyond the Third Fret.

Learn a New Chord Each Day!!!

This Learn a New Chord Each Day!!! series of lessons was created and published in 2013 (10yrs ago) and has been added to an expanded ever since. 2020 brought videos to the show. 2023 is bringing more Harmonic information.

For a further exploration of this chord and its movable forms visit the Movable Ukulele Chords Lesson Series page.

To find out even more than you would ever need to know about a Cadd2 chord — continue reading .

Chord Type(s): Major Add

Chord Categories: Open Position Triad +1

ULCAD0109 Chord_grid_legand.png

Related Lesson: Understanding a Chord Diagram

Open Position chords typically do not show the location of the root or letter name of the chord as these chords are the first chords a ukulele player learns and are almost entirely learned by shape and sound – hopefully, the chords' name. Later on, one develops the ability to determine the location of the chord root(s) or letter name within the chord.

Standard Music Notation and TAB

ULCAD0109

Standard music notation and TAB for C Tuning, Low and High G variations

The same numbering notation of TAB can be used to describe the open strings and frets to be played when using text only notation or verbal communications. Using an open position C as an example, we can describe it as 0003 indicating open strings four, three, and two with fret (3) being fingered on string one. An open position D7 indicated as 2020.

As you can see that are numerous ways to describe a chord, either verbally, Standard Music Notation , TAB , in text, graphically using a Chord Grid , etc.

Derived From

Today's chord, Cadd2 is a derived chord from C . Take any chord progression with C in it and explore substituting Cadd2 for C.

View the C chord a day page...

Chord Spelling

Chord Spelling is simply knowing what the notes, the chord tones of a chord are.

The notes of all chords can be determined from its corresponding major scale based on the root of the chord and numeric formula.

The notes for Cadd2 are:

C E G D

The chord tones are the 1 2 3 5 scale degrees of the parent C Major Scale .

Recommended Fingering

LH_fingersAlthough additional fingerings are possible for many chords. Fingering for any given chord depends the science of how our fingers work and on the harmonic context the chord is being used in, what was the previous chord and what's the next chord. The goal is to play all the notes right behind the frets when possible. Remember longer fingers can reach the lower strings better and finger two and stack on finger three and finger three can stack on finger four.

Although you can play any chord with any finger — as long as it's yours, the recommended fingering for Cadd2 is:

Recommended Fingering
0 2 0 3

Alternate Fingering(s)

Here are a few alternate fingerings for today’s Cadd2 chord depending on the context the chord is being used.

Alternate fingering(s) for Cadd2:

  • 0 1 0 2
  • 0 1 0 3
  • 0 1 0 4
  • 0 2 0 4
  • 0 3 0 4

Fingering Notation

Fingering notation for a chord using text only, without using a chord grid, is typically done using the finger numbers from left to right, string four to string one (nose to toes). Here is the text notation for January 1st C chord.

A Typical text representation of a chord fingering without using a chord grid.

Note: A Zero (0) fingering notation represents an open string that doesn't require using a finger.

Minor Chords

Cadd2 – the m is pronounced “minor”. Minor chords are the second most common chord type next to major chords.

Minor chords have a dark sound.

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Fingering Chords

Additional alternate fingerings might be possible for selected chords. If there isn't an overwhelming musical reason for one fingering over another, let efficiency be the determining factor. Something as simple as longer fingers can reach the lower string four and three goes a long way to being efficient when switching chords.

Factors such as playing notes right behind the fret takes less effort than in the middle of the fret. Less effort leads to overall efficiency in play, lower maintenance for maintaining your technique and efficiency leads to speed. This can help in determining what finger to use. Finger three can overlap finger four and finger two can overlap finger three a little allowing them to get closer to the fret.

Remember – the thumb's primary role is to support the fingers – not play notes. Think of the thumb as a Stagehand. He is unseen, doesn't get any lines BUT is a critical member of the team.

Chord Construction, Notes and Intervals

ALL chords can be be constructed based on the their intervals relative to the major scale of the root or letter name of the chord. The individual names of the notes of the chord can also be determined from the same scale.

The chord tones for Cadd2 are: C E G D

Cadd2 is the 1 2 3 5 of the C Major Scale based on the root (C) of the chord.

add2/add9 Chords

Technically the add 2 and add 9 are different chords.

Both the 2 and the 9 are the same letters but in different octaves of the scale. On ukulele, for all practical purposes, you can treat both the add2 and add9 chords as the same. Depending on whether you are using a low "G" or high "G", C tuning the added ninth might be a second. Whether you call it an add9 or add2 depends on whether the added note is in the same octave as the root of the chord.

Related to a C Major Scale a D is both a 2nd and a 9th (shown to the right). All depends on where the root is.

Next Steps

After memorizing todays Cadd2 chord and able to switch in time with other chords. The next step is adding various Strums , Fingerpicking patterns, and exploring the Movable Chord versions of today's chord, to your ukulele skills.


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End of Lesson - Thanks, Hope You Enjoyed It!

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Ukulele Chord a Day, January 9th - Cadd2

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Learn a new Ukulele chord every day of the year. The chord for January 6th is Cadd2.

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A Selection of Books & Reference Charts that are recommended for creating a solid foundation with your chosen instrument and music in general.

Books

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard – C Tuning

Finally, learn the names of the notes of the fingerboard.

Six Secrets of Ukulele Fingering

Learn the six fingering principles to navigating the ukulele fingerboard. Fingering is one of the most universal topics.

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Harmonic Analysis is the understanding of the functional sequence of chords. It is the process used to analyze the harmonic structure of a progression, song or composition.

Ukulele – Reading Music Series – Primer

Learn to read single note melodies in the first/open position is a lot easier than you might think.

Daily Practice Material for the Contemporary Ukulele

An organized collection of daily practice and reference material for the contemporary ukulele player for developing the vocabulary and knowledge necessary for single note playing.

Checkout the Books for ALL available books.

Reference Charts

Ukulele Fingerboard Chart for C Tuning, Low or High G - G C E A

Ukulele Fingerboard Chart for C Tuning, Low or High G – G C E A

Ukulele Fingerboard Chart for G Tuning, Low or High A – D G B E

Ukulele Fingerboard Chart for G Tuning, Low or High A – D G B E

Key Signatures — Circle of Fourths and Fifths – ANSI A & A4 sizes

A handy reference chart of all 15 major and relative minor key signatures. US Letter 8.5 x 11 sized (ANSI-A) , A4

Checkout the Books for additional Handy, Dandy Reference Charts.

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