Added tone chords Chord names and symbols (popular music)

an important characteristic of jazz , blues extensive use of seventh chords. in jazz, chord indicated in chord chart or fakebook may interpreted added seventh, according discretion , musical instincts of chord-playing musicians. example, jazz song in key of c, if opening chord indicates c or c major , jazz guitarist accompanying singer may add major seventh. jazz-style blues progressions, major chords may played dominant seventh chords. example, if jazz musician sees turnaround vi/ii v written c a/d min g in fakebook, typically interpret c7 a7/d min7 g7. typical interpretation means if composer wishes jazz comping musician play simple triad (for artistic reasons or effect), must explicit in lead sheet or part. example, if song in key of c has chord labelled g , if composer wishes simple triad played (the notes g, b, , d), may write g (triad only) or g (no 7).

the combination of 9th (2nd), 11th (4th) , 13th (6th) notes 7ths in chord give jazz chord voicings distinctive sound. use of these notes not exclusive jazz genre; in fact commonly used in folk, classical , popular music generally. without 7th, these chords lose jazzy feel, can still complex. these chords called added tone chords because basic triads notes added. can described having more open sound extended chords.

in blues, when chords written without additional notation requesting sevenths, chords played dominant seventh chords. example, in progression c/f/c/c/f/f/c/c/g/f/c/g, simple version of 12 bar blues, chord-playing musicians play of these chords dominant seventh chords (e.g., using chords c7, f7 , g7).

notation must provide way of showing chord added tone chord opposed extended. there 2 ways shown generally, , common see both methods on same score. 1 way use word add , example:

c

the second way use 2 instead of 9, implying not 7th chord instance:

c

note in way potentially other ways of showing 9th chord:

c
c
c

generally above shown c, implies 7th in chord. added tone chord notation useful 7th chords indicate partial extended chords. example:

c

this indicate 13th added 7th, without 9th , 11th.

the use of 2, 4 , 6 opposed 9, 11 , 13 indicates chord not include 7th unless specified. however, not mean these notes must played within octave of root, nor extended notes in 7th chords should played outside of octave, although commonly case. 6 particularly common in minor sixth chord (also known minor/major sixth chord, 6 refers major sixth interval).

it possible have added tone chords more 1 added note. commonly encountered of these 6/9 chords, basic triads 6th , 2nd notes of scale added. these can confusing because of use of 9, yet chord not include 7th. rule of thumb if added note less 7, no 7th implied, if there notes shown greater 7.

similarly, numbers such 8, 10 , 12 can added. however, these double main triad, , such rare. 10 tends common; can used both in suspended chords , (with accidental) in major or minor chords produce major–minor clash (e.g., c indicating hendrix chord of c–e–g–b♭–e♭). however, because of enharmonics, such chords can more easily, , perhaps more intuitively, represented ♯2 (or ♯9) minor on major or ♭4 major on minor. in other case, 8, 10 or 12 indicates respective note triad doubled 1 octave.