Create new sounds by adding notes from the major scale to create new variations on major chords. Includes Add 9 chords, Suspended 4th (Sus4) chords, Major 6th chords, and Major 7th Chords.

Open Chord Extensions

It is possible to add the other notes form the major scale to our major chords. By adding the 2nd, 4th, 6th and 7th from the major scale, we can create unique sounding variations on our major triads. These are called Extensions because they are notes that are added to the chords we already know to create new sounds.

Below, you will see the formula for a major chord. Note that the root, 3rd and 5th of the major scale are used to make up the major chord. For a review of major and minor chords, take a look at the course on open chords.

Below, you will see the additional notes of the scale that are not used to make major chords, and can be used to create chord extensions. These notes include the 2nd (9th), (11th), 6th (13th) and 7th. It is important to note that extensions can be labeled by their scale degrees (2nd, 4th, 6th) but can also be labeled by the scale degree raised by an octave (9th, 11th, 13th) if the extension appears after the root of the chord. This means that a Cadd9 chord and a Cadd2 chord are the same notes, but the extension is raised by an octave in the Cadd9 chord.

Chord Extensions: Add 9 Chords

The first chord extension is the Add2 or Add9 chord, which will add the 2nd degree of the scale to the chord. When the 2nd degree of the scale is raised up an octave, it becomes a 9th (2+7 = 9). 

The Formula for an Add 9 Chord is: Root, 2nd (9th), 3rd, 5th.

Switching Between Chords: Add9 Chords

With each new chord that we learn, start practicing switching between the chords by strumming whole notes at 60bpm. The goal with these exercises is to play in time but allow for a substantial amount of time to learn to switch the chord and stay in time with the metronome.

When comfortable switching chords using whole notes which are strummed every four beats, try to move on to the next exercise using half notes, which are strummed every two beats. When comfortable with half notes, move on to quarter notes, which are strummed on every beat.

Major and Add9 Chord Progressions

It is always best to practice adding and removing extensions from your chords, use the following exercises to practice moving between each major chord and its extension to see the differences between the two chords. 

Suspended 4th (sus4) Chords

A Sus4 (or suspended 4th) chord replaces the third degree of the scale temporarily with the 4th degree, and then resolves back to the original chord. It is rare that the 3rd degree and 4th degree are present at the same time in a Sus4 chord.

The formula for a suspended 4th (sus4) chord is: Root, 4th, and 5th.

Switching Between Chords: Suspended 4th (Sus4) Chords

With each new chord that we learn, start practicing switching between the chords by strumming whole notes at 60bpm. The goal with these exercises is to play in time but allow for a substantial amount of time to learn to switch the chord and stay in time with the metronome.

When comfortable switching chords using whole notes which are strummed every four beats, try to move on to the next exercise using half notes, which are strummed every two beats. When comfortable with half notes, move on to quarter notes, which are strummed on every beat.

Major and Sus4 Chord Progressions

It is always best to practice adding and removing extensions from your chords, use the following exercises to practice moving between each major chord and its extension to see the differences between the two chords. 

Major 6th Chords

The Major 6th chord will add the 6th degree of the scale to the chord. When the 6th degree of the scale is raised up an octave, it becomes a 13th (6+7 =13). 

The Formula for a Major 6th Chord is: Root, 3rd, 5th, 6th. 

Switching Between Chords: Major 6th Chords

With each new chord that we learn, start practicing switching between the chords by strumming whole notes at 60bpm. The goal with these exercises is to play in time but allow for a substantial amount of time to learn to switch the chord and stay in time with the metronome.

When comfortable switching chords using whole notes which are strummed every four beats, try to move on to the next exercise using half notes, which are strummed every two beats. When comfortable with half notes, move on to quarter notes, which are strummed on every beat.

Major and Major 6th Chord Progressions

It is always best to practice adding and removing extensions from your chords, use the following exercises to practice moving between each major chord and its extension to see the differences between the two chords. 

Major 7th Chords

 Here we will add the 7th degree from the major scale to the chord, which gives us a Major 7th chord. This chord has a softer, smoother sound than the Dominant 7th chord. 

The Formula for a Major 7th Chord is: Root, 3rd, 5th, 7th. 

Switching Between Chords: Major 7th Chords

With each new chord that we learn, start practicing switching between the chords by strumming whole notes at 60bpm. The goal with these exercises is to play in time but allow for a substantial amount of time to learn to switch the chord and stay in time with the metronome.

When comfortable switching chords using whole notes which are strummed every four beats, try to move on to the next exercise using half notes, which are strummed every two beats. When comfortable with half notes, move on to quarter notes, which are strummed on every beat.

Major and Major 7th Chord Progressions

It is always best to practice adding and removing extensions from your chords, use the following exercises to practice moving between each major chord and its extension to see the differences between the two chords. 

Chord Extension Progressions: Add 9, Major, Major 7, Major 6 Chords

Chord extensions can be found in several common chord progressions. One of the most common chord progressions using open chord extensions starts on the Add9 chord, and moves the extension down to the major chord, followed by the major 7th chord and ending on the major 6th chord. This creates a melodic movement in the chord from the 9th to the root, down to the 7th, and ending on the 6th degree of the major scale.

Playing through these extensions allows the player to create melodic continuity through the chord progression and allows a single chord to be played over several measures and create movement throughout the progression despite the common major chord.

Chord Extension Progressions: Sus 4, Major, Add 9, and Major Chords

Chord extensions can be found in several common chord progressions. One of the most common chord progressions using open chord extensions starts on the Suspended 4 (Sus4) chord, and moves the extension down to the major chord, followed by the Add 9 chord and ending on the major chord. This creates a melodic movement in the chord from the 4th to the root, down to the 2nd (9th), and ending back on the root of the major scale.

Playing through these extensions allows the player to create melodic continuity through the chord progression and allows a single chord to be played over several measures and create movement throughout the progression despite the common major chord.