Extended Chords
Explore the rich, colorful world of extended chords - 9ths, 11ths, and 13ths that add depth and sophistication to your harmony.
📖 Theory Fundamentals
What Are Extended Chords?
- •Definition: Chords that extend beyond the 7th to include 9th, 11th, and 13th
- •9th Chord: Root + 3rd + 5th + 7th + 9th
- •11th Chord: Root + 3rd + 5th + 7th + 9th + 11th
- •13th Chord: Root + 3rd + 5th + 7th + 9th + 11th + 13th
- •Sound Quality: Lush, complex, colorful
Musical Applications
- •Jazz: Standard jazz voicings and comping
- •Neo-Soul: Rich, modern harmony
- •R&B: Smooth, sophisticated grooves
- •Funk: 9th chords for rhythmic comping
📐 Understanding Extended Chord Construction
C9 (Dominant 9th) Example
- •Root: C (1st degree)
- •Major 3rd: E (3rd degree)
- •Perfect 5th: G (5th degree)
- •Minor 7th: Bb (7th degree)
- •Major 9th: D (9th degree)
Interval Stacking
- •9th = Octave + 2nd (compound interval):
- •11th = Octave + 4th (compound interval):
- •13th = Octave + 6th (compound interval):
- •Guitar: Usually omit some notes
- •Voice leading: Choose most important tones
Practical Voicings
- •Guitar has 6 strings: Omit notes as needed
- •Common omissions: 5th, root (if bass plays it)
- •Shell voicings: 3rd, 7th, plus extension
- •Drop 2 voicings: Practical guitar shapes
- •Rootless voicings: Assume bass covers root
🎸 Essential Extended Chord Voicings
💡 Start Here
These are practical extended chord voicings that work well on guitar.
E9
Notes: E-G#-B-D-F#
Fingering: Classic funk shape
Use: Funk, blues, R&B grooves
Cmaj9
Notes: C-E-G-B-D
Fingering: Open position
Use: Jazz ballads, neo-soul
Am11
Notes: A-C-E-G-D
Fingering: Open strings help
Use: Modal jazz, ambient
🎼 Common Extended Chord Progressions
Funk 9th Chord Groove
Chord Sequence
E9
I9
A9
IV9
E9
I9
B9
V9
Strumming Pattern
D - UDU - D - UDU
Funky 16th-note rhythm
Tempo: 90-120 BPM
Feel: Funky, groovy
Genre: Funk, R&B, Blues
Funk 9th Groove (E9-A9-E9-B9)
Classic funk progression using dominant 9th chords - the foundation of funk guitar heard in James Brown and Prince songs.
💡 Practice Tips for Chord Progressions
Technique Focus
- •Practice muting unused strings for clean voicings
- •Focus on the most important chord tones (3, 7, extension)
- •Use rhythmic strumming to bring extended chords to life
- •Build from 7th chords by adding one extension at a time
Musical Application
- •Essential for jazz, funk, and R&B styles
- •Adds richness and color to any progression
- •Creates sophisticated, professional sound
- •Foundation for modern harmony and arranging
🎶 Famous Songs Using Extended Chords
Funk, Jazz & R&B Classics
- •"Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine" - James Brown (E9)
- •"Kiss" - Prince (A9 funk groove)
- •"Maiden Voyage" - Herbie Hancock (Dm11, Cm11)
- •"Electric Feel" - MGMT (9th chord voicings)
- •"Isn't She Lovely" - Stevie Wonder (extended chord harmony)
⚡ Practice Exercises
💡 Building Extended Chord Skills
These exercises will help you master extended chords and their applications.
1Exercise 1: 9th Chord Funk Groove
Pattern: E9 strumming with muted strings
Practice clean 9th chord voicings with funky rhythm
Tip: Mute the strings you are not fretting for a tight, percussive sound
🚀 Advanced Extended Chord Concepts
Extended Chord Alterations
- •Altered extensions: #9, b9, #11, b13
- •The 'Hendrix chord': 7#9 (E7#9)
- •Lydian dominant: 7#11 for jazz
- •Altered scale: All altered tensions
- •Upper structure triads: Triads over bass notes
Songs Using This Chord
Why Songs Work Hub →Hear how this chord is used in real songs with harmonic music theory breakdowns
Every Rose Has Its Thorn by Poison
Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) by Green Day
It Runs Through Me by Tom Misch
Kashmir by Led Zeppelin
More Than a Feeling by Boston
Never Going Back Again by Fleetwood Mac
Oye Como Va by Santana
Stormy Monday by The Allman Brothers Band
Texas Flood by Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble
Wanted Dead or Alive by Bon Jovi
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Continue Your Chord Journey
Now that you understand extended chords, explore how they connect to other chord types and advanced harmonic concepts.