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Adding Extensions to Diatonic 7th Chords

Mike Salow

Hi guys! So this month we'll once again stray from Licking Up the Modes. Although, what we're covering in this tutorial directly relates to the modes and is very helpful. If you're unfimiliar with the term "diatonic", this basically meens the notes that exsisit within the given key, in this case, G major. Off of each scale degree we have a chord that exists. These chords are built off of 3rd intervals that proceed the scale degree. For example, in G major we have these notes available: G - A - B - C - D - E - F#       1 - 2 - 3 -  4 - 5 -  6 - 7 The first chord of the key, or the "one" chord Gmaj7 (usually shown by a roman numeral " I ") is made up of thirds that proceed G, giving us B - D - F#. All of these notes are a third apart (sometimes major 3rds, sometimes minor 3rds). These series of notes are also known as 1 - 3 - 5 - 7, the scale degrees that make up a 7th chord.  As these scale degrees are altered we end up with different chord qualities which can be seen below: Major7 = 1 - 3 - 5 - 7 Dominant7 = 1 - 3 - 5 - b7 Minor7 = 1 - b3 - 5- b7 Minor7b5 = 1 - b3 - b5 - b7 As we build chords off of each scale degree we come across a pattern that exists for every major key, which is as follows (shown in roman numerals): I major7 - ii minor7 - iii minor7 - IV major7 - V dominant7 - vi minor7 - vii minor7b5 (half diminished) matching modes: I ionian - ii dorian - iii phrygian - IV lydian - V mixolydian - vi aeolian - vii locrian When reduced to their triads (1 - 3 - 5) we have: Major = 1 - 3 - 5 Minor = 1 - b3 - 5 Diminished = 1 - b3 - b5 I major - ii minor - iii minor - IV major - V major - vi minor - vii diminished    When adding extensions to these chords we basiccally have what is left from the scale, 2 - 4 - 6, moved up an octave we call them 9 - 11 - 13. You can see here how the idea off continuing to add proceeding thirds works: 1 - 3 - 5 - 7 - 9 - 11 - 13 (we are basically hitting every other note). Although, these added extensions sometimes don't work within the context of the chord and have to be excluded. These excluded notes are known as avoid notes or "void" notes.    If you move on to the next videos we will see more clearly which extensions can be used within each diatonic chord.

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6 Lessons

  1. 1 2:56 Lesson · 3m Adding Extensions to Diatonic 7th Chords: Intro Hi guys! So this month we'll once again stray from Licking Up the Modes. Although, what we're covering in this tutorial directly relates to the modes and is very helpful. If you're unfimiliar with the term... Tab Guitar Pro
  2. 2 3:22 Lesson · 3m Adding Extensions to Diatonic 7th Chords: Tonic Chord There is are a couple basic rules to follow when thinking about which extensions can be used. (but rules are meant to be broken :) .....sometimes) #1 extension notes cannot be a half step above a chord tone... Tab Guitar Pro
  3. 3 2:45 Lesson · 3m Adding Extensions to Diatonic 7th Chords: ii Chord Now onto our "two" chord (ii).  The chord tones discussed here will directly relate to the matching mode, dorian. In this case A dorian because the ii chord of Gmaj is Amin7. A - B - C - D - E - F# - G (A... Tab Guitar Pro
  4. 4 2:42 Lesson · 3m Adding Extensions to Diatonic 7th Chords: iii & IV Chord The iii chord has only one extension and the matching mode is phrygian, in this case B phrygian. As you can see a knowledge of the modes can come in handy for this tutorial. Hopefully the explanation in the... Tab Guitar Pro
  5. 5 3:32 Lesson · 4m Adding Extensions to Diatonic 7th Chords: V, vi & vii Chord Now onto our final three chords! Starting with the V chord. The V chord also has no avoid notes, although, some people might avoid the 11 because it creates a tritone between the 11 and 7 but plenty of people... Tab Guitar Pro
  6. 6 1:41 Lesson · 2m Adding Extensions to Diatonic 7th Chords: Exercise This exercise is just running through each shape in the order seen on the tab below. Have fun! Tab Guitar Pro

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