The basic tools of harmony are the triad and the seventh chord.

Both structures are built

in thirds or skips. This process uses the odd-numbered scale-degrees.
If this process is continued past the octave marker (scale-degree eight), with the scale being
repeated at higher registers, then the odd-numbered tones nine, eleven, thirteen, fifteen,
seventeen, nineteen, twenty-one, and twenty-three result. These tones are called scale
extensions.

scale degree 1 3 5
7
9 11 13
15
17
19
21
23
example in C C E G
B
D F
A
C
E
G
B
D
application triad seventh most 7ths dim. 7ths 7sus4
23rd extensions
Like most chord tones, the tensions can be altered to fit the function, applying the formula
change: b, #, bb, or in the case of 23rd chord extensions, (double-sharp).
The chord tones [1 - 3 - 5 - 7] and conventional tensions [9 - 11 - 13] are the typical tools of the
American Musician. 23rd chord extensions are a logical outgrowth of the development
of chromatic harmony in conjunction with jazz improvisational approaches involving a linear
approach to chords [chord-tones and tensions]. This technique has been used in classical music
and by some jazz improvisers, amongst them Eric Dolphy, David Murray, and Bruce Gertz.

Imaj7
example in
C

#11

13

#15

#17

#19

b21

#23

F#

C#

E#

G#

Bb

D#

application
IImin7
example in
C

b3

b7

#11

13

#15

#17

#19

21

Eb

Bb

F#

C#

E#

G#

V7sus4
example in
C
application

23
D

23rd chord extensions

b7

#11

13

#15

#17

#19

21

#23

Bb

F#

C#

E#

G#

D#

conventional
tensions

chord tones

23rd chord extensions

b3

b5

b7

11

b13

b15

17

19

Eb

Gb

Bb

Ab

Cb

application
Io7delayed
resolution
example in
C
application

tensions
[ conventional
11 is natural ]

chord tones

application
IIm7b5
example in
C

23rd chord extensions

application
V79, 13
example in
C

conventional
tensions

chord tones

conventional
tensions [ can
also take b9 ]

chord tones

bb21 b23
Bbb

Db

23rd chord extensions

b3

b5

bb7

11

b13

b15

17

19

b21

b23

Eb

Gb

Bbb

Ab

Cb

Bb

Db

chord tones

conventional tensions

23rd chord extensions

b7

#11

13

#15

17

#19

21

#23

Bb

F#

C#

G#

D#

conv.

23rd

conv.

23rd

conv.

chord tones

23rd ext.