Using Extensions from the Various Chord Groups

Extensions or Extended notes are referred to as the higher tensions of the given chord or scale. The higher extended notes are Maj7, Ninths, Eleventh, and Thirteenth.

e.g.CMajor Ionian scale:C,D,E,F,G,A,B,C

Tensions are 7ths, 9ths, 2s, 11's, 4ths and 13ths

C, E, G are all chord tones=CT

D,T9,F,T11 or4,A,T13,B,T7 are all tension notes=T

C,E,G,B,D,F, A

1,3,5,7,9,11,13

Jazz harmony:Forming triads(3 notes) C Ionian Scale C,D,E,F,G,A,B,C

Diatonic chords in the key of CMajor.

CMaj,Dm, Em, FMaj G Am Bdim

1Maj, IIm, IIIm, IVMaj, V, VIm, VIIdim.

Roman Numerals used for naming the chords.

CMaj=1,3,5=C,E,G (notes taken from the scale of CMajor )

CMaj6=1,3,6

Em=3,5,7

Am=6,1,3

D-=2,4,6,

FMaj=4,6,1

G=5,7,2

Bdim=7,2,4

Extensions in Block Chords or 4 part jazz harmony.

C,E,G,B,D,F, A

1,3,5,7,9,11,13

C Diatonic chords:

CMaj7-1,3,5,7

Dm7-2,4,6,1

Em7-1,3,5,7

FMaj7-4,6,1,3

G7- 5,7,2,4

Am7-6,1,3,5

Bm7b5-7,2,4,6

Jazz theory permits the letter names of notes to be written in numbers. Chords like, C,E,G,=CMaj can also be written as 1,3,5, using the Root, third and fifth of the scale of CMaj.

In minor chords a small m is used to indicate a minor. All m7b5 chords are also called half diminished chords,

The higher extended notes give us the Maj7, Ninths, Eleventh, and thirteenth chords.

To get this extensions we need to combine the triads to get the desired sound.

By applying 2 separate triads e.g. C and Em we get the extensions for the CMaj7 chord.

To get the CMaj6 chord=combine the 2 triads of C and Am

to get the Dm7 chord= combine the Dm7 and F chord

To get the Em7= combine the Em and G chord

To get the FMaj7=combine the F and C triads

To get the Bm7b5=combine the Bm7b5 with the AMaj

To get the Am7=combine the Am7 with the C triad

To get the G7= combine the G and the Bm7b5 triads

CMaj9= use the C and G triads

CMaj13= use the C and D triads

C13= use the C7 and D triads or C7 and Am triads

G11= use G and F triads

Theory- getting 5 notes in the chord:

CMaj9 use= the C and Em triads

G11 use= the G and F triads

FMaj9 use= F and G triads

All these extended notes can be worked out by learning the diatonic triads.

Combine the triads and you will have some beautiful chords to play with. Piano players have the advantage of being able to play both triads simultaneously, Guitar players you would have to choose and mix the notes for some chords. This lesson wasto prepare you for the next interesting theory lesson on the Lydian Scale.

Lydian Concept

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