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Chords and Scales

Extended and Altered Chords

Ninths, elevenths and thirteenths

Dominant ninth

Symbol
C9
Formula
1 3 5 ♭7 9
From C
C E G B♭ D
Where it is used
A dominant seventh with the ninth added.

Major ninth

Symbol
Cmaj9
Formula
1 3 5 7 9
From C
C E G B D
Where it is used
A major seventh chord with the ninth added.

Minor ninth

Symbol
Cm9
Formula
1 ♭3 5 ♭7 9
From C
C E♭ G B♭ D
Where it is used
A minor seventh chord with the ninth added.

Dominant flat ninth

Symbol
C7♭9
Formula
1 3 5 ♭7 ♭9
From C
C E G B♭ D♭
Where it is used
The usual dominant color when resolving to a minor chord.

Dominant sharp ninth

Symbol
C7♯9
Formula
1 3 5 ♭7 ♯9
From C
C E G B♭ D♯
Where it is used
The major third clashes with the raised ninth; common in blues, funk and rock.

Dominant eleventh

Symbol
C11
Formula
1 3 5 ♭7 9 11
From C
C E G B♭ D F
Where it is used
Usually voiced without the third to avoid the E–F clash.

Minor eleventh

Symbol
Cm11
Formula
1 ♭3 5 ♭7 9 11
From C
C E♭ G B♭ D F
Where it is used
A rich minor color in modal jazz.

Dominant thirteenth

Symbol
C13
Formula
1 3 5 ♭7 9 13
From C
C E G B♭ D A
Where it is used
The eleventh is left out; players often omit the fifth or ninth too.

Major thirteenth

Symbol
Cmaj13
Formula
1 3 5 7 9 13
From C
C E G B D A
Where it is used
An extended major color; the symbol does not fix one voicing.

Minor thirteenth

Symbol
Cm13
Formula
1 ♭3 5 ♭7 9 11 13
From C
C E♭ G B♭ D F A
Where it is used
The full stack of thirds; real voicings leave several tones out.

Seventh sharp eleven

Symbol
C7♯11
Formula
1 3 5 ♭7 ♯11
From C
C E G B♭ F♯
Where it is used
The Lydian dominant color; a ninth is often added.

Other chapters: Triads · Sixths and Added Notes · Seventh Chords · Major and Minor Scales · The Modes · Pentatonic and Blues · Symmetrical Scales · Jazz Scales · Color Scales

Chord symbols and voicings vary by style. No chord–scale pairing is right in every context.

Open the Chords and Scales →

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