How To Remember Larger Extended Chords

What Are Chords?

Chords are defined as a combination of tones which blend harmoniously when sounded together.

Three toned chord is called a triad. Read more about The Three Primary Chords

Four toned chord is a seventh. Read about Voicing 7th Chords

Five toned chord a ninth. Check out my post on The 9th Chord

Six toned chord an eleventh.

Eleventh chords are a lot easier to remember, especially if you know your seventh chord. The easiest way to think of this chord is the Major chord + the "5" dominant seventh chord. In the key of C major, this is simply C major (C-E-G) under a G7 (because G is the fifth tone of the C major scale. Use its dominant chord, which is G7). So, C maj + G7 = Cmaj11 (CEGBDF)

Formula for Remembering Eleventh Chords

Major eleventh: 1 + 3 + 5 + 7 + 9 + 11

Minor eleventh: 1 + b3 + 5 + b7 + 9 + 11 

(Cmin11: C Eb G Bb D F)

Dominant eleventh: 1 + 3 + 5 + b7 + 9 + 11 

(C11 : CEGBDF)

Dominant:

The dominant eleventh is identical to the dominant minor except for one change.

Major chord +b7 major chord = Dominant eleventh chord.

Instead of playing a minor chord at the bottom (like you did with this min11 chord, simply play a regular major triad. In  C major, this is Cmaj (C E G) under Bbmaj (Bb D F). Basically, 2 major triads stacked on top of each other. C11 =  Cmaj + Bbmaj

Seven toned chord a thirteenth. Finding Thirteenth Chords on Keyboard

The formulas for the three thirteenth chords:

Major thirteenth: 1 + 3 + 5 + 7 + 9 + 11 + 13

Cmaj13: C E G B D F

The major seventh chord + 2 major chord = Major 13th chord.

Example: Key of C, C maj7 (CEGB) under Dmaj (DFA).

All played together (CEGBDFA) create a Cmaj13 chord.

Minor thirteenth: 1 + b3 + 5 + b7 + 9 + 11 + 13

Cmin13: C Eb G Bb D F A

Min seventh chord + 2 major chord = minor 13th chord.

Example: Key of C, Cmin7 (C Eb G Bb) under Dmaj (D F A).

Cmin13 = C Eb G Bb D F A (Cmin7 + Dmaj)

Dominant thirteenth: 1 + 3 + 5 + b7 + 9 + 11 + 13

C13: C E G B D F A

Dominant seventh chord + 2 major chord + Major thirteenth chord.

Example: Key of C, this is C7 (C E G Bb) under Dmaj (D F A)

C13 = C E G Bb D F A

Either way, play C on your left hand while playing a Bbmaj7 on your right hand.

L.H. / R.H.

C / BbDFA

This produces the same sound as a 13th chord, just without the third and fifth present. Notice the Bb is the 7th of C... the D is the 9th... the F is the 11th... and the A is the 13th.

Other Posts on Chords:

Quartal and Quintal Chords

You'll find lots of information to chord study in a music theory handbook available for purchase, 300pg Piano By Ear Home Study Course

photo credit: The Music Man via photopin (license)
*some affiliate links in post*

Blessings,






"The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you." B.B.King

The 9th Chord

We have learned that triads such as major, minor, augmented and diminished chords are 3-note chords. Hence, the word triad. When we add one or more note to a chord, we call them "extended chords." Chords like minor 6ths and 7ths have an extra note that extends beyond the triad. When you get to the 9th chords and beyond, you have 5 or more notes in the same chord.

English: Description of triads (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

All 9th chords (C9, G9, D9, F9, A9, B9, Ab9, Eb9, Db9, Gb9, Bb9, etc.)

Ninth chords are five-note chords that span the usual intervals up to a ninth (root-3-5-7-9); and most often, the ninth interval remains major, even in minor 9th chords.

Read what Jermaine Griggs says about ninth chords.

The major 9th chord is basically a major 7th chord with one extra note added - the major 9th.

Playing the major 9th chord is easy. Just play a major 7th chord, and add a note that is an interval of a major 9th from the root note of the chord. Another way to think about it is by using a formula of half steps. Below is the formula for the major 9th chord.

Root + 4HS + 3HS + 4HS + 3HS

You can play the major 9th chord in all twelve keys. Below is a list of all 12 major 9th chords.

Key of C: C, E, G, B, D

Key of G: G, B, D, F#, A

Key of D: D, F#, A, C#, E

Key of A: A, C#, E, G#, B

Key of E: E, G#, B, D#, F#

Key of B: B, D#, F#, A#, C#

Key of Gb: Gb, Bb, Db, F, Ab

Key of Db : Db, F, Ab, C, Eb

Key of Ab: Ab, C, Eb, G, Bb

Key of Eb: Eb, G, Bb, D, F

Key of Bb: Bb, D, F, A, C

Key of F : F, A, C, E, G

Here is an example of a Casting Crowns song, Friend of Sinners.

Intro - G

G                              (C9)            (G)

Jesus Friend of sinners we have strayed so far away

(C9)                                                 (G)    Em    D

We cut down people in your name but the sword was never ours to swing

G                                     C9               G

Jesus friend of sinners the truth's become so hard to see

C9                        G              Em               D

The world is on their way to You but they're tripping over me

C9                        G                    D

Always looking around but never looking up I'm so double minded

C9                                        G         D

A plank eyed saint with dirty hands and a heart divided

Chorus:

G                    C9 - D

Oh Jesus friend of sinners

Em                     D                                C9

Open our eyes to the world at the end of our pointing fingers

G                       C9  - D

Let our hearts be led by mercy

Em                            D        C

Help us reach with open hearts and open

Am                                  C9

Oh Jesus friend of sinners break our hearts for what breaks yours

(Em  C9   G    D) – Instrumental

Yeah,yeah,yeah

G                            C9           G

Jesus friend of sinners the one who's writing in the sand

C9                  G                  Em                    D

Make the righteous turn away and the stones fall from their hands

G                                    C9          G

Help us to remember we are all the least of thieves

C9                G                  Em                    D

Let the memory of Your mercy bring your people to their knees

Prechorus:

C9                                                        G  -  D

Nobody knows what we're for only what we're against when we  judge the wounded

C9                                                                  G - D

What if we put down our signs crossed over the lines and love like you did

-Chorus  x1 -

Bridge 1 -

Am                                            C

You love every lost cause; you reach for the outcast

G                                               D

For the leper and the lame; they're the reason that You came

Am                                        C

Lord I was that lost cause and I was the outcast

G                                              D

But you died for sinners just like me a grateful leper at Your feet

Bridge 2--

G            G                       C9            D

You are good, You are good And Your love endures forever   x4

-Chorus x1-

G                                            C9 - D

And I was the lost cause and I was the outcast

Em -  D – C9

Yeah(hold note)

G             C9                    D

You died for sinners just like me, a grateful leper at Your feet

http://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com

Do you need a refresher course to brush up on your chords? Here's an audio series that I recommend, Chords 101 & 102


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"The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you." B.B.King

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