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Subcourse MU 3320
EDITION A
This subcourse is designed to teach you how to construct chords and label them with the correct chord
symbols.
Unless otherwise stated, the masculine gender of singular pronouns is used to refer to both men and women.
TERMINAL LEARNING OBJECTIVE
ACTION: You will construct chords and label them with the correct chord symbols.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SUBCOURSE OVERVIEW
ADMINISTRATIVE INSTRUCTIONS
GRADING AND CERTIFICATION
LESSON 1: TRIADS
INTRODUCTION
PART A - CHORD SYMBOLS
PART B - MAJOR TRIADS
PART C - MINOR TRIADS
PART D - AUGMENTED TRIADS
PART E - DIMINISHED TRIADS
PRACTICAL EXERCISE
ANSWER KEY AND FEEDBACK
LESSON 2: SIXTH CHORDS
INTRODUCTION
PART A - MAJOR SIXTH CHORDS
PART B - MINOR SIXTH CHORDS
PART C - AUGMENTED AND DIMINISHED SIXTH CHORDS
PRACTICAL EXERCISE
ANSWER KEY AND FEEDBACK
LESSON 3: SEVENTH CHORDS
INTRODUCTION
PART A - DOMINANT SEVENTH CHORDS
PART B - MINOR SEVENTH CHORDS
PART C - MINOR SEVENTH (FLAT FIVE) CHORDS
PART D - AUGMENTED SEVENTH CHORDS
PART E - DIMINISHED SEVENTH CHORDS
PART F - MAJOR SEVENTH CHORDS
PART G - MINOR/MAJOR SEVENTH CHORDS
PRACTICAL EXERCISE
ANSWER KEY AND FEEDBACK
LESSON 4: EXTENDED CHORDS
INTRODUCTION
PART A - EXTENDED CHORD SYMBOLS
PART B - EXTENSIONS
PART C - INTERPRETING EXTENDED CHORD SYMBOLS
PRACTICAL EXERCISE
ANSWER KEY AND FEEDBACK
LESSON 5: LESS COMMON CHORDS
INTRODUCTION
PART A - SUSPENDED FOURTH CHORDS
PART B - SPECIFIED BASS NOTE CHORDS
PART C - ADDED NOTE CHORDS
PART D - ALTERED CHORDS
PRACTICAL EXERCISE
ANSWER KEY AND FEEDBACK
EXAMINATION
ADMINISTRATIVE INSTRUCTIONS
1. Number of lessons in this subcourse: 5.
2. Supervisory requirements: None.
3. References: You can read Chapters 10, 11, 15, and 19 of TC 12-41, Basic Music, to obtain information
about intervals, triads, chords, and chord symbols. You can also take subcourse MU 1305, Intervals and
Triads.
NOTE: The triads and chords throughout this subcourse are in root position.
GRADING AND CERTIFICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Practice and Practical Exercises: Links are provided for practice and practical exercises so the answers can
be written down and compared to the answer key at the end of each exercise.
Examination: This subcourse contains a multiple-choice examination covering the material in five lessons.
After studying the lessons and working through the Practical Exercises, complete the examination. Point and
click on the small circle to the left of your choice for each question. NOTE: You may select only one choice
for each question. We recommend you print out your completed examination before submitting. This will
give you a record of your answers in case you need to resubmit due to electronic transmission. NOTE:
Some older browsers may not support this function. To submit your exam for grading, point and click on
SUBMIT. You will receive an interim examination score by electronic mail. You will receive a final score
by surface mail after computer grading. You will receive eight credit hours for successful completion of this
examination.
LESSON ONE
TRIADS
OVERVIEW
LESSON DESCRIPTION:
In this lesson you will learn to construct triads based on the information contained in a chord symbol. You
will also learn to label triads with the correct chord symbol.
LESSON OBJECTIVE:
OBJECTIVE: At the end of this lesson you will be able to construct major, minor, augmented, and
diminished triads from a given chord symbol. You will also be able to label
major, minor, augmented, and diminished triads with the correct chord
symbol.
INTRODUCTION
Triads provide the foundation of western harmonic theory and the basic color and harmonic texture of our
music. The four basic triads are the major triad, the minor triad, the augmented triad, and the diminished
triad. The triad consists of a root note, the note an interval of a third above the root note, and the note an
interval of a fifth above the root note. Triads can also be extended by adding notes the interval of a sixth,
seventh, ninth, eleventh, or thirteenth above the root of the basic triad.
1. Chord Symbols. Chord symbols are shorthand expressions used to describe triads and extended chords.
A chord symbol may contain several components that designate information about the basic triad,
alterations of chord members, and extensions of the triad.
b. The second component of the chord symbol is a quality designator. The four quality designators
that we will use in abbreviated form are major (Maj), minor (min), diminished (dim), and
augmented (Aug).
c. The third component of the chord symbol is a numerical designator that can indicate an alteration to
a note of the basic triad or an extension of the basic triad by a sixth, seventh, ninth, eleventh, or
thirteenth.
d. These three components can be combined and compounded in many different ways. Figure 1-1
shows some chord symbols.
NOTE: You can read Chapter 15, TC 12-41, Basic Music, to obtain more information about chord symbols.
3. Major Triad Construction. A major triad is constructed by stacking a minor third on top of a major
third. Figure 1-2 shows a major triad.
5. Minor Triad Construction. A minor triad is constructed by stacking a major third on top of a minor
third. Figure 1-4 shows a minor triad.
7. Augmented Triad Construction. An augmented triad is constructed by stacking a major third on top of a
major third. Figure 1-6 shows an augmented triad.
9. Diminished Triad Construction. A diminished triad is constructed by stacking a minor third on top of a
minor third. Figure 1-8 shows a diminished triad.
LESSON ONE
PRACTICE EXERCISE
a. Add accidentals to the following examples as needed to form the triads indicated by the chord
symbols (Figure 1-10).
LESSON ONE
PRACTICAL EXERCISE
The following items will test your understanding of the material covered in this lesson. There is only one
correct answer for each item. When you have completed the exercise, check your answers with the answer
key that follows. If you answer any item incorrectly, review the part of the lesson that contains the
appropriate information.
C. Numerical designator
D. Chord extension
3. If a chord symbol consists of only the root note name without any additional quality designators, what is
the understood quality of the chord?
A. Major
B. Minor
C. Augmented
D. Diminished
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
C. both the minor third and the diminished fifth of the triad.
10. Chord symbols are shorthand expressions used to describe triads and extended chords.
A. True B. False
LESSON ONE
ANSWERS TO THE PRACTICE EXERCISE
a.
LESSON ONE
PRACTICAL EXERCISE
3. A. Major
(Paragraphs 4 & 4 NOTE)
5. B. 2
(Paragraph 5)
6. A. 1
(Paragraph 7)
7. C. 3
(Paragraph 3)
8. D. 4
(Paragraph 9)
9. C. both the minor third and the diminished fifth of the triad.
(Paragraph 10)
10. A. True
(Paragraph 1)
LESSON TWO
SIXTH CHORDS
OVERVIEW
LESSON DESCRIPTION:
In this lesson you will learn to construct sixth chords based on the information contained in a chord symbol.
You will also learn how to label sixth chords with the correct chord symbol.
LESSON OBJECTIVE:
OBJECTIVE: At the end of this lesson you will be able to construct major and minor sixth
chords. You will also be able to label major and minor sixth chords with the
correct chord symbol.
2. Label major and minor sixth chords with the correct chord symbols.
INTRODUCTION
A sixth chord is a four-note chord that includes the notes of a triad and the note a major sixth above the root
of that triad. The two types of sixth chords that are most commonly used are major sixth chords and minor
sixth chords. The quality of the basic triad (major or minor) does not change when the sixth is added.
1. Major Sixth Chord Construction. A major sixth chord is a four-note chord that includes the notes of a
major triad and the note a major sixth above the root of the major triad. Figure 2-1 shows a major sixth
chord.
3. Minor Sixth Chord Construction. A minor sixth chord is a four-note chord that includes the notes of a
minor triad and the note a major sixth above the root of the minor triad. Figure 2-3 shows a minor sixth
chord.
5. Augmented Sixth Chords. The augmented sixth chord has a very dissonant quality because the interval
between the augmented fifth and the sixth of the chord is a minor second. The augmented sixth chord is
rarely used and will not be discussed in this subcourse.
6. Diminished Sixth Chords. The notes that make up a diminished sixth chord are the same as the notes of
a diminished seventh chord when the seventh of the diminished seventh chord is spelled enharmonically
as a major sixth (see Lesson Three, Part E). The chord symbol for the diminished seventh chord is used
rather than the chord symbol for the diminished sixth chord.
LESSON TWO
PRACTICE EXERCISE
a. Add accidentals to the following sixth chords as needed to form the chords indicated by the chord
symbols (Figure 2-5).
LESSON TWO
PRACTICAL EXERCISE
The following items will test your understanding of the material covered in this lesson. There is only one
correct answer for each item. When you have completed the exercise, check your answers with the answer
key that follows. If you answer an item incorrectly, review that part of the lesson that contains the portion
involved.
Figure 1. Question 1.
A. Bdim6
B. B6
C. BMaj6
D. Bmin6
3. The quality designator "Maj" is included as part of a chord symbol for a major sixth chord.
A. True B. False
Figure 2. Question 4.
A. D6
B. DMaj6
C. Dmin6
D. Ddim6
A. the notes of a major triad and the note a minor sixth above the root of the major triad.
B. the notes of a minor triad and the note a major sixth above the root of the minor triad.
C. the notes of a minor triad and the note a minor sixth above the root of the minor triad.
D. the notes of a major triad and the note a major sixth above the root of the major triad.
7. The quality of the basic triad does NOT change when the sixth is added to the triad.
A. True B. False
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
A. 1 and 4
B. 2
C. 3 and 4
D. 4
A. 2 and 3
B. 1 and 3
C. 3
D. 2
LESSON TWO
ANSWERS TO THE PRACTICE EXERCISE
a.
1. B. B6
(Paragraph 2)
3. B. False
(Paragraph 2)
4. C. Dmin6
(Paragraph 4)
6. B. the notes of a minor triad and the note a major sixth above the root of the minor triad.
(Paragraph 3)
7. A. True
(Introduction)
8. B. 2
(Introduction, Paragraphs 1 & 3)
9. A. 1 and 4
(Paragraph 1)
10. C. 3
(Paragraph 3)
LESSON THREE
SEVENTH CHORDS
OVERVIEW
LESSON DESCRIPTION:
In this lesson you will learn to construct seventh chords based on the information contained in a chord
symbol. You will also learn how to label seventh chords with the correct chord symbol.
LESSON OBJECTIVE:
OBJECTIVE: At the end of this lesson, you will be able to construct dominant seventh,
minor seventh, minor seventh (flat five), augmented seventh, diminished
seventh, major seventh, and minor/major seventh chords. You will also be
able to label each type of seventh chord with the correct chord symbol.
INTRODUCTION
A seventh chord is a four-note chord that includes the notes of a triad and the note a minor, major, or
diminished seventh above the root of that triad. The seventh is the most common extension of a triad. The
most common seventh chord is the dominant seventh chord. The minor seventh chord is also frequently
used. The quality of the basic triad (major, minor, augmented, or diminished) does not change when the
seventh is added to the triad.
The minor seventh is the most frequently used extension of the seventh and is written without a quality
designator. When the number 7 appears in a chord symbol without a quality designator, it refers to the
note that is the interval of a minor seventh above the root of the triad. The minor seventh occurs on major
triads, minor triads, augmented triads, and diminished triads.
The major seventh occurs on major triads and minor triads. The major seventh requires the use of a Maj
quality designator.
The minor seventh can also be lowered by one half-step (which forms a diminished seventh) requiring the
use of a dim quality designator. The diminished seventh occurs on diminished triads.
1. Dominant Seventh Chord Construction. A dominant seventh chord is a four-note chord that includes the
notes of a major triad and the note a minor seventh above the root of the major triad. Figure 3-1 shows a
dominant seventh chord.
3. Minor Seventh Chord Construction. A minor seventh chord is a four-note chord that includes the notes
of a minor triad and the note a minor seventh above the root of the minor triad. Figure 3-3 shows a
minor seventh chord.
5. Minor Seventh (Flat Five) Chord Construction. The minor seventh (flat five) chord is a four-note chord
that includes the notes of a diminished triad and the note a minor seventh above the root of the
diminished triad. Figure 3-5 shows a minor seventh (flat five) chord.
7. Augmented Seventh Chord Construction. The augmented seventh chord is a four-note chord that
includes the notes of an augmented triad and the note a minor seventh above the root of the augmented
triad. Figure 3-7 shows an augmented seventh chord.
Figure 3-7. Augmented Seventh Chord Construction.
8. Chord Symbol for Augmented Seventh Chords. The root note name provides the first component of the
chord symbol. The root note name is followed by the quality designator Aug that prescribes the
augmented fifth of the chord. The quality designator Aug is followed by the number 7. The
seventh is minor and requires no further qualification. Figure 3-8 shows the chord symbol for
augmented seventh chords.
9. Diminished Seventh Chord Construction. The diminished seventh chord is a four-note chord that
includes the notes of a diminished triad and the note a diminished seventh above the root of the
diminished triad. Figure 3-9 shows a diminished seventh chord.
12. Major Seventh Chord Construction. A major seventh chord is a four-note chord that includes the notes
of a major triad and the note a major seventh above the root of the major triad. Figure 3-12 shows a
major seventh chord.
14. Minor/Major Seventh Chord Construction. A minor/major seventh chord is a four-note chord that
includes the notes of a minor triad and the note a major seventh above the root of the minor triad.
Figure 3-14 shows a minor/major seventh chord.
LESSON THREE
PRACTICE EXERCISE
a. Add the missing accidentals to the following chords to form the seventh chords indicated by the
chord symbols (Figure 3-16).
LESSON THREE
PRACTICAL EXERCISE
The following items will test your understanding of the material covered in this lesson there is only one
correct answer for each item. When you have completed the exercise, check your answers with the answer
key that follows. If you answer an item incorrectly, review that part of the lesson that contains the portion
involved.
2. What chord member(s) does the term major qualify in a seventh chord?
A. Fifth
B. Third
C. Seventh
D. Root
Figure 1. Question 3.
A. DflatDom7
B. Dflatmin(Maj7)
C. DflatMaj(min7)
D. Dflat7
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
8. What is the understood quality of the seventh when it appears in a chord symbol without a quality
designator?
A. Minor
B. Major
C. Diminished
D. Augmented
A. major seventh.
B. minor seventh.
C. diminished seventh.
D. augmented seventh.
a.
LESSON THREE
PRACTICAL EXERCISE
2. C. Seventh
(Introduction & Paragraph 13)
3. D. Dflat7
(Paragraph 2)
4. C. 3
(Paragraph 9)
5. A. 1
(Paragraph 14)
6. D. 4
(Paragraph 1)
7. B. 2
(Paragraph 3)
8. A. Minor
(Introduction)
9. B. minor seventh.
(Paragraphs 7 & 8)
EXTENDED CHORDS
OVERVIEW
LESSON DESCRIPTION:
In this lesson you will learn to construct extended chords based on the information contained in a chord
symbol. You will also learn to label extended chords with the correct chord symbol.
LESSON OBJECTIVE:
OBJECTIVE: At the end of this lesson, you will be able to construct extended chords using
extensions of the ninth, eleventh, and thirteenth.
INTRODUCTION
The major and minor sixth chords and the major, minor, augmented, and diminished seventh chords which
were discussed in the previous lessons can be extended further by stacking notes above the chord to form the
intervals of a ninth, eleventh, or thirteenth above the root of the chord. The quality of the basic sixth or
seventh chord (major, minor, augmented, or diminished) does not change when extensions are added.
1. Extended Chord Symbol Guidelines. As chords are built using major, perfect, and/or altered extensions
of the ninth, the eleventh, and the thirteenth, the chord symbols can easily become cluttered and unclear.
Here is a simple way to write chord symbols for chords with major, perfect, and/or altered extensions.
a. After the root note name and any necessary quality designator, write the number for the highest
unaltered extension.
b. A second quality designator (such as Maj) and/or any altered extensions (such as #9) are placed in
parentheses.
c. Multiple altered extensions or a second quality designator (such as flat5) with multiple altered
extensions, will also be placed in parentheses. The altered extensions will be stacked within the
same set of parentheses in descending order with the highest extension on the top.
d. Figure 4-1 shows an example of an extended chord symbol with compound quality designators and
altered extensions. The chord symbol in Figure 4-1 shows the extensions that have been added to a
Gmin7( flat5) chord. The Gmin7( flat5) chord has been extended by the ninth, the eleventh, and the
flat thirteenth. The ninth and the eleventh are unaltered. The eleventh is shown in the chord
symbol because it is the highest unaltered extension of the chord. The ( flat5) is a second quality
designator and is placed in parentheses. The chord has been extended by the flat thirteenth ( flat13)
which must also be shown in parentheses since it is an altered extension. Both the ( flat5) and the
( flat13) are placed in the same set of parentheses in descending order.
PART B - EXTENSIONS
2. Extensions of the Ninth. The ninth chord is a five-note chord that includes the notes of a sixth or
seventh chord and the note a ninth above the root of a sixth or seventh chord. The ninth is the most
common extension used on sixth and seventh chords. The major ninth is used on the majority of ninth
chords. When the major ninth is added to any seventh chord, you can simplify the chord symbol by
replacing the number 7 with the number 9. Extensions of the augmented ninth and minor ninth are
used only on dominant seventh type chords. The augmented ninth (#9) and the minor ninth ( flat9) are
always placed in parentheses since they are altered extensions.
NOTE: The major ninth is often referred to as the natural ninth. The augmented ninth is often referred to
as the sharp ninth; the minor ninth is often referred to as the flat ninth. Ninth chord s that contain the flat
ninth or sharp ninth are referred to as altered ninth chords.
3. Extensions of the Eleventh. An eleventh chord is a six-note chord that includes the notes contained in a
ninth chord and the note a perfect eleventh or an augmented eleventh above the root of a ninth chord.
The perfect eleventh is used with chords containing a minor third. The augmented eleventh is used with
chords containing a major third. Chord extensions of the perfect eleventh and the augmented eleventh
are used less frequently than chord extensions of the ninth. When the perfect eleventh is added to any
ninth chord, you can simplify the chord symbol by replacing the number 9 with the number 11. The
augmented eleventh (#11) is always placed in parentheses since it is an altered extension.
NOTE: The perfect eleventh is often referred to as the natural eleventh. The augmented eleventh is often
referred to as the sharp eleventh.
4. A thirteenth chord is a seven-note chord that includes the notes contained in an eleventh chord and the
note a thirteenth above the root of the chord. The major thirteenth occurs on major ninth (augmented
eleventh) chords, dominant ninth (augmented eleventh) chords, and minor thirteenth chords. The minor
thirteenth occurs on dominant seventh (augmented eleventh, altered ninth) chords, minor eleventh (flat
five) chords, and diminished eleventh chords. The extension of the thirteenth (major or minor) is the
least common extension. When the major thirteenth is added to any eleventh chord, you can simplify
the chord symbol by replacing the number 11 with the number 13. The minor thirteenth ( flat13) is
always placed in parentheses since it is an altered extension.
6. Interpreting Extended Chord Symbols. The following paragraphs will help you to interpret extended
chord symbols.
a. Whenever a chord symbol consists of only the root note name followed by the number 9 or 13,
the chord is understood to be a dominant chord.
b. When the quality designator Maj appears in a chord symbol such as min(Maj7), min(Maj9), or
min(Maj11), it prescribes only the major seventh of the chord.
c. When the number 11 is used without a quality designator; it always refers to the perfect eleventh.
Although the eleventh may appear as the only number in a chord symbol, you should remember that
the seventh and the ninth are understood members of the chord and do not need to be written out in
the chord symbol.
7. Enharmonic Chord Spellings. In printed music, enharmonic spellings are often used to spell the
diminished seventh and higher altered extensions to avoid writing double sharps, double flats, or mixed
sharps and flats within the same chord. Enharmonic spellings make notation easier to read. In this
subcourse we have used harmonic spellings of chords rather than enharmonic spellings to simplify
learning the chord structures. You should not hesitate to use enharmonic spellings in your personal
music writing. Figure 4-3 shows some examples of the harmonic spellings of chords and their
enharmonic spellings.
LESSON FOUR
PRACTICE EXERCISE
a. Add accidentals to the following chords to form the extended chords indicated by the chord
symbols (Figure 4-4).
d. Label the following extended chords with the correct chord symbol (Figure 4-7).
LESSON FOUR
PRACTICAL EXERCISE
The following items will test your understanding of the material covered in this lesson. There is only one
correct answer for each item. When you have completed the exercise, check your answers with the answer
key that follows. If you answer any item incorrectly, review that part of the lesson which contains the
portion involved.
NOTE: Refer to the chart in Figure 4-2 to answer questions 1 through 4.
1. The extensions flat9 and #9 can be used on which of the following chords?
A. Major seventh
B. Minor seventh
C. Dominant seventh
D. Minor/major seventh
A. Ninth
B. Thirteenth
C. Eleventh
D. Flat ninth
A. Minor seventh
B. Minor sixth
C. Major seventh
D. Diminished seventh
5. The chord symbol for the chord in measure 1 of the above Figure is
A. E9.
B. Emaj9.
C. Emaj7(9).
D. Emin(Maj9).
6. The chord symbol for the chord in measure 2 of the above Figure is
A. Gdim9.
B. Gmin11( flat5).
C. Gmin9( flat5).
D. Gdim11.
7. The chord symbol for the chord in measure 3 of the above Figure is
A.
B.
C.
D.
8. The chord symbol for the chord in measure 4 of the above Figure is
A.
B.
C.
D.
9. Enharmonic chord spellings are often used to avoid writing double sharps, double flats, and mixed
sharps and flats within the same chord.
A. True B. False
10. Multiple altered extensions are stacked within the same set of parentheses in ascending order with the
lowest extension on the top.
A. True B. False
LESSON FOUR
ANSWERS TO THE PRACTICE EXERCISE
a.
LESSON FOUR
PRACTICAL EXERCISE
1. C. Dominant seventh
(Paragraph 2, Figure 4-2)
2. A. Ninth
(Paragraph 2, Figure 4-2)
3. C. Major seventh
(Paragraph 3, Figure 4-2)
5. B. EMaj9.
(Figure 4-2)
6. C. Gmin9( flat5).
(Figure 4-2)
7. A.
(Figure 4-2)
8. D. A flatMaj13(#11).
(Figure 4-2)
9. A. True
(Paragraph 7)
10. B. False
(Paragraph 1c)
LESSON FIVE
OVERVIEW
LESSON DESCRIPTION:
In this lesson you will learn to construct less common chords based on the information contained in a chord
symbol. You will also learn to label less common chords with the correct chord symbol.
LESSON OBJECTIVE:
OBJECTIVE: At the end of this lesson, you will be able to construct suspended fourth
chords, specified bass note chords, added note chords, and altered chords.
You will also be able to label each type of chord with the correct chord
symbol.
INTRODUCTION
Any combination of notes may be (and probably has been) used together. Some composers and arrangers
will even go so far as to make up their own chord symbols in order to achieve a desired sound. Specialized
chord symbols have been developed to communicate less common chords to musicians. There are many
possible specialized chord symbols. This lesson discusses suspended fourth chords, specified bass note
chords, added note chords, and altered chords.
1. Suspended Fourth Chord Construction. In a suspended fourth chord, the third of the chord is replaced
by the note a perfect fourth above the root of the chord. The suspended fourth is most commonly used
on major triads and dominant seventh chords. The suspended fourth may also be used with dominant
ninth, major sixth, major six/nine, major seventh, and major ninth chords. Figure 5-1 shows a dominant
seventh suspended fourth chord.
3. Specified Bass Note Chord Construction. A chord with a bass note other than the root can be
constructed by placing any chord over any specified bass note. The bass note can be a chord member,
which indicates that the chord is to be played in inversion. The specified bass note can also be a note
that is not a member of the chord. In the first measure of Figure 5-3, the specified bass note C is a chord
member of the F6 chord. In the second measure of Figure 5-3, the specified bass note C is not a chord
member of the G major chord. The blackened notes represent the specified bass notes.
5. Added Note Chord Construction. Added note chords (sometimes referred to as add chords) are
constructed by adding the note (or notes) indicated in parentheses to the basic chord indicated in the
chord symbol.
6. Chord Symbol for Added Note Chords. The chord symbol for an added note chord is the desired chord
symbol followed by the added note. The added note is separated from the chord symbol by the use of
parentheses, and is expressed as either the interval above the root of the chord or as the letter name of
the added note. Figure 5-5 shows the chord symbol for added note chords. In the first and second
measures of Figure 5-5, the added notes are expressed as intervals (9th and 11th) above the root of the
chords. In the third and fourth measures of Figure 5-5, the added notes are expressed as letter names (E
flat and D). The blackened notes in each chord represent the added notes.
7. Altered Chord Construction. All of the chords that have been presented in this subcourse may be
written with one or more altered notes. Any note of any chord may be altered. However, altering the
root can completely change the chord and the chord symbol. Altered chords are constructed by first
constructing the basic chord and then altering the note (or notes) indicated in the parentheses.
8. Chord Symbols for Altered Chords. The chord symbol for an altered chord is the chord symbol for the
basic chord followed by the altered note (or notes) expressed as interval(s) above the root of the chord.
The altered note (or notes) are enclosed within parentheses. Figure 5-6 shows chord symbols for some
possible altered chords. The blackened notes in each chord represent the altered notes. There are many
other possibilities.
LESSON FIVE
PRACTICE EXERCISE
a. Add accidentals to the following less common chords as needed to form the chords indicated by the
chord symbol (Figure 5-7).
LESSON FIVE
PRACTICAL EXERCISE
The following items will test your understanding of the material covered in this lesson there is only one
correct answer for each item. When you have completed the exercise, check your answers with the answer
key that follows. If you answer an item incorrectly, review that part of the lesson that contains the portion
involved.
A. Third
B. Fifth
C. Seventh
D. Fourth
A. True B. False
3. Added note chords allow composers to omit unwanted chord tones and specify a more exact chord
sound.
A. True B. False
4. Altering which note of a chord can completely change the chord and the chord symbol?
A. Seventh
B. Fifth
C. Root
D. Third
5. The added note is expressed in a chord symbol as either an interval or as the letter name of the added
note.
A. True B. False
6. The chord symbol for the chord in measure 1 of the above Figure is
A. B flatmin7( flat5)
B. B flatdim7
C. B flat7( flat5)
D. B flat7
7. The chord symbol for the chord in measure 2 of the above Figure is
A. A7/E
B. A7(add E)
C. A7(add 5)
D. A7/5
8. The chord symbol for the chord in measure 3 of the above Figure is
A. GMaj7sus4
B. G7sus4
C. G6sus4
D. G7(add 4)
9. The chord symbol for the chord in measure 4 of the above Figure is
A. Fmin(add 11)
B. F(add 11)
C. Fmin(add 9)
D. F(add 9)
10. The suspended fourth can be used on which of the following types of chords?
a.
LESSON FIVE
PRACTICAL EXERCISE
1. A. Third
(Paragraph 1)
2. B. False
(Paragraph 3)
3. A. True
(Paragraph 6 NOTE)
4. C. Root
(Paragraph 7)
5. A. True
(Paragraph 6)
6. C. B flat7( flat5)
(Paragraph 8)
7. A. A7/E
(Paragraph 4)
8. B. G7sus4
(Paragraph 2)
9. D. F(add 9)
(Paragraph 6)