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Let's cover some important aspects of harmony and voice leading. To help you prepare, here's a breakdown of the topics:
1. Major Chord Extensions (9, #11, 13):
Major 9th (Maj9): A major triad with a major seventh and a major ninth added. The ninth is a whole step above the octave of the root.
Example in C: C-E-G-B-D
Major Sharp 11th (Maj#11): A major triad with a major seventh and a sharp eleventh added. The sharp eleventh is an augmented fourth above the root. It's often used instead of a perfect eleventh to avoid clashing with the major third.
Example in C: C-E-G-B-F#
Major 13th (Maj13): A major triad with a major seventh, a major ninth, and a major thirteenth added. The thirteenth is a major sixth above the octave of the root.
Example in C: C-E-G-B-D-A
Key things to remember:
The 7th is always a major 7th for major chord extensions.
The 9th is always a major 9th (a whole step above the root's octave).
The 11th is usually sharp (#11) in major chords to sound better against the major third. A perfect 11th can create a dissonant interval.
The 13th is always a major 13th (a major sixth above the root's octave).
2. Minor Chord Extensions (9, 11, 13):
Minor 9th (m9): A minor triad with a minor seventh and a major ninth added.
Example in C minor: C-Eb-G-Bb-D
Minor 11th (m11): A minor triad with a minor seventh and a perfect eleventh added.
Example in C minor: C-Eb-G-Bb-F
Minor 13th (m13): A minor triad with a minor seventh, a major ninth, and a major thirteenth added.
Example in C minor: C-Eb-G-Bb-D-A
Key things to remember:
The 7th is always a minor 7th for minor chord extensions.
The 9th is usually a major 9th.
The 11th is usually a perfect 11th.
The 13th is usually a major 13th.
3. Other Chords with Additions and Substitutions:
This category is broader and can include various alterations to basic triads and seventh chords. Be prepared for chords like:
Add9: Major or minor triad with a major ninth added. (e.g., C-E-G-D)
sus2: Suspended second chord (root, second, fifth). (e.g., C-D-G)
sus4: Suspended fourth chord (root, fourth, fifth). (e.g., C-F-G)
Augmented chords (aug or +): Major triad with a raised fifth. (e.g., C-E-G#)
Diminished chords (dim or °): Minor triad with a lowered fifth. (e.g., C-Eb-Gb)
Half-diminished seventh chords (m7b5 or ø): Diminished triad with a minor seventh. (e.g., C-Eb-Gb-Bb)
Altered dominant chords: Dominant seventh chords with altered fifths (b5, #5) or ninths (b9, #9). (e.g., G7b5, G7#9)
Slash chords: Chords with a different bass note than the root (e.g., C/G, Am/C).
Key things to remember:
Pay close attention to the specific symbols and alterations indicated in the chord notation.
Understand the intervallic relationships within these chords.
4. Drop Voicings:
Drop voicings are a way to create wider and often more open-sounding chord voicings by taking a note from a close-position voicing (where the notes are as close together as possible) and dropping it down one or more octaves. The most common drop voicings are:
Drop 2: Take the second highest note of a close-position voicing and drop it down an octave.
Drop 3: Take the third highest note of a close-position voicing and drop it down an octave.
Drop 2-4: Take the second highest and the fourth highest notes of a close-position voicing and drop them down an octave.
How to create drop voicings:
Start with a close-position voicing of the chord (root position or an inversion).
Number the notes from highest to lowest (1, 2, 3, 4 for a four-note chord, etc.).
For Drop 2, take the note labeled "2" and lower it an octave.
For Drop 3, take the note labeled "3" and lower it an octave.
And so on.
Key things to remember:
Be able to identify a drop voicing and understand how it relates to the original close-position voicing.
Be able to create drop voicings from given chords.
Tips for Studying:
Practice identifying and constructing each type of chord extension and altered chord. Use a keyboard or music notation software if possible.
Focus on the specific intervals that define each chord.
Learn the common symbols and abbreviations used for these chords.
Practice creating drop voicings for various chords and inversions.
Listen to examples of how these chords and voicings sound in different musical contexts.
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