Thread: Chord Tones
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Old October 10th, 2007
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monk monk is offline
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Playing guitar for what seems like forever.
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
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Noodler,

Here a some "general rules" for adding extensions and tensions to chords.

The most common extension for the Major 7 is the 9th.
1 3 5 7 9

The most common extensions for the Minor 7 are 9th and 11th.
1 b3 5 b7 9 11

The most common extensions for the Dominant 7 are 9, 11 and 13.
1 3 5 b7 9 11 13

Some players, mostly jazz, prefer the #11 instead.
1 3 5 b7 9 #11

6 and 13 are the same note. When added to a Major or minor, it's 6. On a Dominant it's 13.

The Major chord can take a 6 or a 6 and 9.
1 3 5 6 or 1 3 5 6 9

The Minor chord can also take a 6 or 6 and 9.
1 b3 5 6 or 1 b3 5 6 9

Dominant 13 is:
1 3 5 b7 9 13

The Major 7 can also take a #11 extension.
1 3 5 7 9 #11

Dominant 7 chords can take b5, #5, b9 or #9.

You would never use a b9 on a Major 7 or Minor 7.

Some modern jazz players use #5 and b5 on Major 7.

The Minor chord can take a natural 7 but it's generally used as a moving line rather than an ending chord.
1 b3 5 7

Some of these harmonies sound good the first time you play them. Others tend to be an acquired taste.

Also keep in mind that in common practice chords are generally "thinned out". In theory, a Dominant 13th chord has 7 notes. Since the guitar only has 6 strings something has to go. First choice is usually the root. Next is the fifth.

Hope this is helpful.

Regards,
Monk

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