Example 2 Extended Chords

Here we extend our basic triads (1, 3, 5) to four-note chords (1, 3, 5, 7) and beyond – all the way to the 13th (1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13). Please note though, that for many extended chords it is common to omit several notes, especially on guitar, where there are only so many strings and fingers available. The least common chord tones to omit would be the 3rd and 7th as these tell you so much about the chord. The commonest note to lose is the 5th, as you see in the shapes from bar 1 and 3 of our example (Gm11 and Bb13). Notice how the 11th is left out too for our Bb13th. This is also a common occurrence. The progression is in G minor, but has several notes ‘sticking out’, adding colours of G Dorian (C9) and G Phrygian (Bb13), in addition to the chromatic movements of the various chords in bars 8, 12 and 15. Experiment with moving some of these extended chord shapes around, chromatically or in any other pattern you see fit… there are lots of great sounds to be found!

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