Extended Chords Made Clear - Music Theory
TLDRThe instructor explains how to build basic triad chords using the C major scale, as well as how to extend those chords by adding additional notes like the 7th, 9th, 11th, and 13th. They show that adding extra notes beyond the basic triad makes the chords richer and more interesting, especially in jazz and other modern styles, but too many extensions can make the chords overly congested. They demonstrate how to build 7th, 9th, 11th, and 13th chords on all the degrees of the C major scale to showcase the possibilities with extended chords.
Takeaways
- 😀 The instructor first reviews how to build basic chords - using the 1st, 3rd and 5th notes of the major scale
- 😊 Extended chords build on these basic chords by adding additional notes like the 7th, 9th, 11th or 13th
- 🎹 7th chords started being used in the Baroque period, and became popular in later styles like jazz
- 🎸 Guitarists may refer to chords by letter names instead of Roman numerals (C, Dm, etc.)
- ✏️ Always stick to the key signature - no added sharps/flats unless the key signature changes
- 🎼 7th chords add richness; 9th and 11th chords add interest; 13th chords can get very complex
- 😖 By the time you reach 13th chords, they may contain too many notes to be practical
- 🤔 A 13th chord may just use the root, 3rd, 7th and 11th to imply the 13th extension
- 🎵 Extended chords create nice musical tension that can resolve back to simpler chords
- 🙌 Extending chords expands creative possibilities for composers, arrangers and musicians
Q & A
What are the basic chords that can be found in any key?
-The basic chords that can be found in any key are the chords built on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th notes of the major scale. For example, in the key of C major, these chords would be C major, D minor, E minor, F major, G major, A minor, and B diminished.
How are basic chords formed from a major scale?
-Basic chords are formed by stacking 3rds from each note of the scale. So from the C major scale, the C chord is formed by taking the notes C (the 1st note), E (the 3rd note), and G (the 5th note).
What is meant by extended chords?
-Extended chords refer to chords that go beyond the basic triad by adding additional notes on top. Common extended chords include 7th chords, 9th chords, 11th chords, and 13th chords.
What interval needs to be added to a triad to make it a 7th chord?
-To make a basic triad into a 7th chord, you need to add the interval of a 7th above the root note. So for a C major 7th chord, you would have the notes C, E, G (the C major triad) plus B (the 7th).
When did composers start using 7th chords?
-Seventh chords were already being used by composers in the Baroque period between 1600-1750, especially the V7 (dominant 7th) and ii7 chords. Their use became more common through the Classical and Romantic periods.
Why are there no sharps or flats used in the basic chords?
-Since the key signature is C major, which has no sharps or flats, no sharps or flats are used when building the basic chords from the C major scale.
What other names are used for these chords?
-Guitarists and jazz musicians often refer to these chords by chord names rather than Roman numerals. So C = C major, Dm = D minor, Em = E minor, etc.
Do you need all the notes when building extended chords?
-No, when building very extended chords like 13th chords, it can get very congested and is often unnecessary to have all the chord tones. Composers will typically just pick essential notes like the 3rd, 7th, and extensions.
What instruments might commonly use these extended chords?
-Extended chords are very commonly used in jazz music, particularly by jazz pianists, guitarists, and other ensemble instruments like saxophones and trumpets playing jazz melodies and harmonies.
What are some advantages of using extended chords?
-Compared to basic triads, extended chords create a richer, more colorful sound. They add tension and interest to chord progressions. Extended chords like the V13 can create a stronger sense of resolution when moving to the I chord.
Outlines
😄 Introducing the Basics of Chords and Extensions
The first paragraph introduces the basic chords in the key of C major - the I, II, III, IV, V, VI, and VII chords. It explains how these chords are formed by stacking thirds, and emphasizes not using sharps or flats since we're in the key of C. It then talks about how to extend these chords by adding extensions like the 7th, 9th, 11th, and 13th.
😎 Exploring Different Chord Extensions
The second paragraph explores adding extensions like 7ths, 9ths, 11ths, and 13ths to the basic chords, creating richer extended chords. It talks about how extensions like the 7th became popular in later music. It also notes that by the time you get to 13th chords, you may not need every note as the chords get congested.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Chords
💡Seventh chord
💡Ninth chord
💡Eleventh chord
💡Thirteenth chord
💡Jazz
💡Baroque music
💡Root
💡Key
💡Guitarist
Highlights
Basic chords are formed by stacking thirds - the root note, then notes a third and a fifth above it.
In the key of C major there are no sharps or flats used in the chords.
Guitarists may refer to the chords by letter names instead of Roman numerals.
Extended chords are created by adding additional notes on top of the basic triads.
A seventh chord adds the seventh note above the root to a basic triad.
Seventh chords were already used in the Baroque period, especially on chords V and II.
Ninth chords add the ninth note above the root on top of the seventh chord.
By the eleventh chord, you don't need all the notes since it gets too congested.
Thirteenth chords are the furthest extension, becoming very dense with notes.
For a thirteenth chord, often just the root, third, seventh and eleventh are used.
Extended chords like the V13 sound richer than just a basic V triad.
The mixture of major and minor chords, plus one diminished, is the chord pattern.
Seventh chords came into their own in the 20th century, especially in jazz.
By the 19th century, seventh chords were being used more and more in music.
Adding extensions makes chords richer, more interesting and exciting.
Transcripts
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