jazz composition 1 5/28/03 4:32 PM Page xiv

Tensions

Tensions are the higher functions of seventh chords. They are realized by extending
chords upward past the 7th in successive intervals of a third. Thus, tensions include such
functions as 9, 11, and 13 and their respective chromatic alterations (%9, #9, #11, %13).
C7

1 3 5 7 T9 T 11 T13
chord tones tensions

Tensions are so named because they create more dissonant intervals in the chord
structure than do the chord tones alone. When tensions are used, intervals of the major
and minor seventh and ninth occur.

C7( 11) Maj9 min7 Maj9 Maj7 Maj9 Maj7

Melodic tensions are vertically significant non-chord tones that are:

1. longer than a quarter note in duration, and/or

2. followed by a leap, and/or

3. on a strong beat preceded by a leap from below and followed by a related chord
tone on a weak beat, as in 9 to 1, 11 to 3, or 13 to 5. (In classical music, this is
known as an appoggiatura, or, if tied over from a note in the previous measure, a
suspension.)

Medium swing

G–7 C7 FMaj7 B 6(9)

T11 T13 T9 T9 T9 1 T7 6

E–7( 5) A7( 5, 9) A7( 9) D–7 G7

T11 T 5 T11 3 T9 1 T13

xiv
jazz composition 1 5/28/03 4:32 PM Page xv

Available Tensions by Chord Type

Chord Type Tensions Special Situations

%9 9 #9 11 #11 %13 13 sus4 Maj7 #5 %5

Major 6 (6)

Minor 6 (6)

Major 7 rare chord rare

tone

Minor(Maj7) chord
tone

Minor 7 Phrygian Aeolian Dorian (11)

Minor 7(%5) Ionian (%13) chord

tone

Dominant 7 (sus4) (%13)

Augmented 7 (#5) chord

tone

Diminished 7* (%13) chord

tone

*Note: Tensions on diminished chords are not usually labeled by interval on lead sheets. The general
consensus is that available tensions on diminished chords are those notes a whole step above a chord tone
that are diatonic to the prevailing key.

xv