TUTORIALS 1 Intervals 2 Triads 3 7th Chords 4 Major & Minor Scale Tone Harmony 5 Modes of the Major Scale 6 Composite Minor Scale Tone Harmony 7 The Major II-V-I Progression 8 The Minor II-V-I Progression 9 Type A&B Left Hand Piano Voicings HOME ABOUT MIKE NELSON ABOUT JENNY WRENN CONTACT ABOUT US (WNP) JAZZ EDUCATION [including FREE Tutorials] RECORDINGS LINKS CLIENT PAGES GIGS - WHAT'S ON

TUTORIAL 3 - 7th chords Chords are constructed in thirds up to the 13th degree. The chord tones in the first octave are the 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th. The non chord tones (i.e. 2nd, 4th and 6th) become chord tones as the chord is extended past the upper tonic into the second octave where they function as the 9th (2nd), 11th (4th) and 13th (6th) degrees. This tutorial will concentrate on chord structure and symbols up to the 7th. Certain conventions exist which help streamline the system. TRIADS 1) If there is no mention of the 3rd it is automatically major. [A minor 3rd is indicated by the symbol "mi" (or - ). A 3rd which has been removed and replaced by the 4th is indicated by the symbol "sus" or "sus 4"]. 2) If there is no mention of the 5th it is automatically perfect. [A diminished 5th is indicated by the symbol "b5" and an augmented 5th by the symbol "+" or "#5"]. 3) The symbol "o" indicates that both the 3rd and the 5th are lowered. [Note: This symbol also effects the 7th, if present, by lowering it twice]. TRIAD TYPES SEVENTH CHORDS If the chord is built to the 7th (indicated by the inclusion of "7" in the chord symbol) but no mention is made as to the type of 7th it is automatically minor. A major 7th is indicated by the symbol "ma". A diminished 7th (lowered twice) is indicated by the symbol "o7". Consider the chord symbol "C7" (ex.3). The symbol indicates the root (C) and the "roof" or highest extension (7) only. There is no indication of what type of 3rd, 5th and 7th so they automatically conform to their default values of major 3rd, perfect 5th and minor 7th. [next tutorial] ©Mike Nelson 2001