Extended chord

In music, extended chords are tertian chords (built from thirds) or triads with notes extended, or added, beyond the seventh. Ninth, eleventh, and thirteenth chords are extended chords. The thirteenth is the farthest extension diatonically possible as, by that point, all seven tonal degrees are represented within the chord. In practice however, extended chords do not typically use all the chord members; when it is not altered, the fifth is often omitted, as are notes between the seventh and the highest note (i.e., the ninth is often omitted in an eleventh chord; the ninth and eleventh are usually omitted in a thirteenth chord), unless they are altered to give a special texture. See chord alteration.

Chords extended beyond the seventh are rarely seen in the Baroque era, and are used more frequently in the Classical era. The Romantic era saw greatly increased use of extended harmony. Extended harmony prior to the 20th century usually has dominant function – as V9, V11, and V13, or V9/V, V13/ii etc.

Examples of the extended chords used as tonic harmonies include White Cherry's "Play That Funky Music" (either a dominant ninth or dominant thirteenth).[2]

Contents

Most frequent voicings and expected resolution in the common practice period

When orchestrating chords that are voiced in four or fewer parts, it is important to select which notes to use so as to give the desired sonority, or effect of the intended chord. Generally, priority should be given to the third, seventh and the most extended tone, as these factors most strongly influence the quality and function of the chord. The root is never omitted from the texture. The third defines the chord's quality as major or minor. The extended note defines the quality of the extended pitch, which may be major, minor, perfect, or augmented. The seventh factor helps to define the chord as an extended chord (and not an added note chord), and also adds to the texture. Any notes which happen to be altered, such as a flatted fifth or ninth, should also be given priority. For example: in a thirteenth chord, one would play the root, third, seventh, and thirteenth, and be able to leave out the fifth, ninth, and eleventh without affecting the function of the chord. The Eleventh chord is an exception to this voicing, in which the root, seventh, ninth, and eleventh are most commonly used.

In the classical practices of western music, extended chords most often have dominant function (dominant or secondary dominant), and will resolve in circle progression (down a fifth) in much the same way that V7, V7/ii, V/IV, etc. might resolve to their respective tonics. Extended chords can also be altered dominants, and the extended pitch may be altered in several ways (such as V flat 13 in a major key).

Following standard voice leading rules:

V9 – I or i

V11 – I or i

V13 – I or i

An important distinction between Extended and Added chords must be made, since the added tones and extended tones are enharmonic, but differ in function. Extended chords always have at least one octave between their lowest pitch, and extended note, otherwise the extended factor would be considered an added pitch. Extended chords usually must be resolved when used in a dominant function, whereas added chords are most often textures added to a tonic.

History

18th century

In the 18th-century 9th and 11th chords were theorized as downward extensions of 7th chords, according to theories of supposition.[4]

In 1722 Rameau first proposed the concept that 9th and 11th chords are built from seventh chords by placing a "supposed" bass one or two thirds below the fundamental bass or actual root of the chord.[5] With the theoretical chord F A C E G B the fundamental bass would be considered C, while the supposed bass would be F.[5] Thus the notes F and A are added below a seventh chord on C, C E G B, triadically (in thirds). This is also referred to as the "H chord".

The theory of supposition was adopted and modified by Roussier, Marpurg, and other theorists. A. F. C. Kollmann, following Kirnberger, adopted a simpler approach and one closer to that prevalent today, in which Rameau's "supposed" bass is considered the fundamental and the 9th and 11th are regarded as transient notes inessential to the structure of the chord.[5] Thus F A C E G B is considered a seventh chord on F, F A C E, with G and B being nonchord tones added above triadically.

19th century

In 19th-century classical music the seventh chord was generally the upper limit in "chordal consonance", with 9th and 11th chords being used for "extra power" but invariably with one or more notes treated as appoggiaturas.[4] The thickness of complete 9th, 11th, or 13th chords in close position was also generally avoided through leaving out one or more tones or using wider spacing (open position).[4]

20th century

In the 20th century, especially in jazz and popular music, 9th chords were used as elaborations of simpler chords, particularly as substitutes for the tonic triad at the end of a piece.[4] The "'piling up'" of thirds above the tonic to make 7th, 9th, 11th, or even 13th chords "is one of the most important characteristics of jazz harmony".[4]

Further reading

See also

External links

Sources

  1. ^ Cope, David (2000). New Directions in Music, p. 6. ISBN 1-57766-108-7.
  2. ^ Stephenson, Ken (2002). What to Listen for in Rock: A Stylistic Analysis, p.83. ISBN 9780300092394.
  3. ^ a b c Benward & Saker (2009). Music in Theory and Practice: Volume II, p.184. Eighth Edition. ISBN 978-0-07-310188-0.
  4. ^ a b c d e Sadie, Stanley, ed. (1980). "Ninth chord", p. 252, The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, vol. 13. ISBN 1-56159-174-2.
  5. ^ a b c Sadie, Stanley, ed. (1980). "Supposition", p. 373, The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, vol. 18. ISBN 1-56159-174-2.
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