CHORD MASTERY

By Claude Johnson

Welcome to Chord Mastery We !rote th"s e#$oo% &or you' so you can e()and
your chordal %no!led*e' your chordal +oca$ulary' and ho)e&ully so you can
"m)ro+e as a *u"tar )layer "n !hate+er style you choose
There are , ca+eats - !ould l"%e to )resent to you $e&ore !e d"+e "nto the mater"al
."rstly' learn"n* chords $y themsel+es !"ll not ma%e you a !hole let $etter /ust $y
themsel+es The real )ath to $ecome a *ood )layer "n any *"+en style "s !ell to
learn that style!
That "s !hy' a&ter you *o throu*h th"s $oo%' - recommend you chec% out the l"n%s at the
end to some style-specific DVD courses
Secondly' the ma/or"ty o& e(ot"c and ad+anced chords are $est su"ted &or a /a00 conte(t
Most other &orms o& mus"c' such as roc%' )o)' $lues' or metal' rely on )r"mar"ly s"m)ler
chords' althou*h there are many e(ce)t"ons
There are 1 sect"ons to the mater"al -n the &"rst sect"on' - !"ll sho! you $as"c' common
chords "n the o)en )os"t"on -& you ha+e some e()er"ence' most o& these !"ll $e &am"l"ar
-n the second sect"on' - !"ll sho! you mo+a$le sha)es so you can )lay chords all o+er
the nec% These are hel)&ul to learn to master your &ret$oard %no!led*e
These are "ncluded as se)erate e#$oo%s &or you
The th"rd sect"on 2th"s document3 "s $y &ar the most e(c"t"n* Here' - !"ll co+er the
ad+anced chords and ho! to use them "n a mus"cal conte(t
Th"s "s 4OT one o& those $oo%s !here you must start at the $e*"nn"n* and )roceed
slo!ly and care&ully You can de&"n"tely &eel &ree to /um) around to any )a*e you l"%e
and cherry )"c% anyth"n* that loo%s "nterest"n*
Don5t try to learn "t all "n one n"*ht' or e+en &eel that you must learn all the chords here
-& you !ant to ma%e a ser"ous study o& "t' you can Ho!e+er' an e6ually +al"d a))roach
"s to use th"s $oo% as a re&erence *u"de o+er a lon* )er"od o& t"me' and /ust &l") to a
ne! )a*e !hene+er you !ant to learn someth"n* ne! Just ha+e &un !"th "t7

O%' no! !e5re at the *ood stu&& -& you5+e $een )lay"n* *u"tar a l"ttle !h"le' the &"rst
$onus e$oo% 218 )o!er&ul s"m)le chords3 !"ll $e elementary &or you The second $oo%
2)lay"n* chords all o+er the nec%3 "s &a"rly common %no!led*e as !ell Ho!e+er' th"s
th"rd document del+es "nto the most ad+anced *u"tar chords Th"s "s really the heart o&
th"s learn"n* )roduct
- tr"ed to des"*n th"s $oo% to $e $oth com)rehens"+e and com)act at the same t"me
We %no! that the most com)l"cated chords are &ound "n /a00 *u"tar So' a&ter an
e(haust"+e study o& /a00 standards' - came u) !"th 9: ad+anced chord ty)es Th"s
co+ers nearly e+ery )oss"$le chord you !"ll e+er see "n mus"c
By co+er"n* all these d"&&erent chord ty)es' !e ha+e a com)rehens"+e study o& chords
.or each one' - try to )ro+"de the one or t!o most common and use&ul +o"c"n*s o& these
chords' alon* !"th a mus"cal e(am)le Th"s ma%es "t com)act and )ract"cal
Advanced Chord #1: The 9 Chord
; Chords are the ne(t lo*"cal ste) a&ter < chords $ecause o& the e(tra d"aton"c tone that "s
stac%ed on to)
Ty)"cally' on the *u"tar' !e lea+e out the &"&th de*ree o& the note o& ad+anced chords ' to
ma%e "t eas"er to )lay -n mus"c' !e only really need the 1
rd
and the <
th
de*ree to ca)ture
the essent"al character"st"c sound o& a chord
We can usually lea+e out the &"&th de*ree' and somet"mes !e can e+en lea+e out the root
"& necessary More on rootless chords later
Here5s the most commonly used +o"c"n*=
O& course' !e should also $e com&orta$le mo+"n* th"s chord to the lo!er or h"*her
str"n*s=
W"th all these chords' there are many' MA4Y other )oss"$le +o"c"n*s' so
&eel &ree to create your o!n
Here5s another use&ul +o"c"n*= Just ta%e your normal Dom< $arre chord and add your
)"n%y on the to) E str"n* to *et the n"nth -n th"s +o"c"n* you !ould $e *ett"n* all :
tones > root' th"rd' &"&th' se+enth' and n"nth
4o!' !"th each chord' - !"ll sho! you ho! "t "s used "n a mus"cal conte(t
One o& the cool !ays - l"%e to use ; chords' "s to com$"ne them !"th ma/or chords &or a
&un%y +am) Chec% out th"s C; to C ma/or )ro*ress"on=
Advanced Chord #2: The 9sus Chord
Sus)ended chords are a n"ce +ar"ety o& chords W"th sus)ended chords' you are *o"n*
!"th a &ourth "nter+al' "nstead o& a ma/or th"rd So a sus)ended chord' conta"ns root'
&ourth' and &"&th
- !"ll sho! you an e(am)le o& a )ure sus)ended chord a $"t later
Th"s e(am)le &ocuses on the ;sus chord' !h"ch "s essent"ally a ; chord' $ut !e are us"n*
the &ourth "nstead o& the th"rd here
A*a"n' as !"th the last e(am)le' !e can o&ten om"t the &"&th de*ree
One "nterest"n* th"n* that ha))ens here' "s that !hen !e use the trad"t"onal ; chord
sha)e on the m"ddle ? str"n*s' and ra"se the th"rd' !e *et e+ery note on the same &ret
By the !ay' somet"mes a sus chord !"ll also $e la$led sus?
There are many !ays to use th"s chord Try com$"n"n* th"s chord !"th ma/or < chords
Here5s an e(am)le=
Advanced Chord #3: The Major 9 Chord
Here5s another e(ot"c chord that sounds a$solutely
$eaut"&ul -t5s the Ma/or ; chord
-t has the !arm' lo+"n* 6ual"ty o& the Ma/or < chord'
$ut $ecause "t5s a ; chord' "t ta%es on a ne! s)ec"al
&la+or
Here5s , use&ul +o"c"n*s=
."rst' our m"ddle ? str"n*s +o"c"n*=
Th"s sha)e "s &"n*ered !"th the m"ddle &"n*er on the A str"n*' the &"rst &"n*er on the D
str"n*' the )"n%y on the @ str"n* and the r"n* &"n*er on the B str"n*
-t "s easy to *et con&used !"th the Dom< sha)e !here the )"n%y "s on the D str"n* and
&"rst &"n*er on the @ str"n* "n the same &ret )os"t"on' so )ract"ce th"s one care&ully7
Also not"ce that th"s same sha)e can $e mo+ed u) to the h"*hest &our str"n*s and you
ha+e your normal ; chord
O%' here5s another use&ul !ay to )lay the ma/or; chord=
Th"s "s l"%e a ma/or < chord $ut you5re h"tt"n* the n"nth on the h"*h E str"n*
- use my thum$ to &ret the lo! E str"n*' then m"ddle &"n*er' r"n* &"n*er' "nde( &"n*er' and
)"n%y on the ne(t str"n*s res)ect"+ely
Aet me sho! you the ne(t ad+anced chord and then -5ll *"+e you an e(am)le o& ho! to
use "t
Advanced Chord #4: The minor9 chord.
O%' no! !e are add"n* the ; to a m"nor< chord
-5ll *"+e you the same , %"nds o& +o"c"n*s !e5+e $een !or%"n* !"th= One on the m"ddle
&our str"n*s' and one as a $arre chord us"n* all s"( str"n*s .eel &ree to come u) !"th
your o!n +o"c"n*s' such as us"n* the lo! ? str"n*s or the h"*h ? str"n*s
Th"s )art"cular +o"c"n*' - ha+e n"c%named the Ra"ny Day chord -t /ust has that &eel to
"t Try mo+"n* "t u) and do!n the &ret$oard to *et some "nterest"n* &eel"n*
The other +o"c"n* - !ant to sho! you' "s the M"n< $arre chord !"th the ;
th
added !"th
your )"n%y on the h"*h E str"n*=
Here5s a short cadence us"n* th"s chord &orm !"th m"nor ; ' dom;' and ma/or ;=
Advanced Chord #5: The 6 chord
The ne(t chord "s the 9 chord' or somet"mes called Ma/or9 Th"s conta"ns the root' th"rd'
&"&th' and s"(th
Here "s one my &a+or"te +o"c"n*s=
- use my m"ddle &"n*er on the lo! E str"n*' my "nde( &"n*er to $arre the ne(t
t!o str"n*s A4D mute the @ str"n*' and the r"n* &"n*er to h"t the B str"n*
The mut"n* )art m"*ht ta%e a $"t o& )ract"ce $ut once you *et "t' "ts &rea%"n easy =#3
One n"ce th"n* a$out th"s )art"cular +o"c"n*' 2as"de &rom "ts *reat sound3' "s that you
mo+e "t u) one set o& str"n*s and the &"n*er"n* doesn5t chan*e at all
- *uess that "s true a$out any chord )layed on the lo! E' A' D' and B str"n*s .unny
ho! that !or%s ehB
Th"s chord !as a &a+or"te o& the Beatles and also !or%s *reat as an end"n* chord
A s"m)le !ay to hear !hat -5m tal%"n* a$out "s to )lay a --#C#- )ro*ress"on' such as
Dm<' @<' Cma/<' $ut su$st"tute a ma/or 9 "n )lace o& the ma/or <' l"%e th"s=

Advanced Chord #6: The #9b5 Chord
4o! !e are start"n* to *et "nto the &am"ly o& chords %no!n as altered chords' !h"ch
*enerally means !e are ra"s"n* or &latt"n* the ;
th
' andDor ra"s"n* or &latt"n* the :
th

Althou*h - had )re+"ously sa"d that !e can *enerally om"t the :

th
' "& the chord
s)ec"&"cally states someth"n* l"%e $:' then !e should "nclude that note to *et the
character"st"c sound
That $e"n* sa"d' !hen !e are read"n* a chord chart' !e can o&ten /ust su$st"tute a normal
Dom< chord "n )lace o& an altered chord
Eno!"n* !hat e(act +o"c"n* to use "s truly an art and sc"ence -t de)ends on !hat
melody note you !ant to hear on the to) o& the chord' as !ell as the o+erall conte(t "n
!h"ch you are )lay"n*
Aet5s say you need to )lay an AF;$: chord' and you !ant an E$ "n the melody Well' the
E$ "s the $:' so !e could )ut on to) !"th the &ollo!"n* +o"c"n*=
4ot"ce !e are not )lay"n* the <
th
' !h"ch "s normally an essent"al tone Ho!e+er' !e are
really ca)tur"n* the &la+or o& the F;$: $y "nclud"n* $oth o& those tones
A 2F;$:3
-t5s also an art &orm to &"*ure out ho! to &"n*er some o& these +o"c"n*s .or th"s one' -5m
us"n* r"n*' "nde(' )"n%y' and m"ddle &"n*er *o"n* &rom $ottom to to) The "nde( &"n*er
also hel)s out to mute the D str"n*
4o!' lets say you !anted the same chord $ut !"th a C "n the melody The C "s the F;
2-t also ha))ens to $e the m"nor 1
rd
"nter+al More on that later3
- !ould use th"s &"n*er"n*=
A< 2F;$:3
Here - am actually $arr"n* the 9
th
&ret !"th my "nde( &"n*er' h"tt"n* the D str"n*
!"th my m"ddle &"n*er' the B str"n* !"th the r"n* &"n*er' and the h"*h E str"n* !"th
my )"n%y
4ot"ce all the tones are h"t But ho! d"d - come u) !"th th"s +o"c"n*B
- /ust started !"th an ord"nary A< chord on the m"ddle ? str"n*s' added one e(tra note on
to) 2the F;3' and lo!ered the &"&th $y one &ret' and then - had the notes - !anted
Then' - /ust &ound a con+en"ent !ay to &"n*er "t
When try"n* to &"*ure out an ad+anced chord' your e&&orts m"*ht not al!ays !or% out so
smoothly the &"rst t"me -t could ta%e a $"t o& tr"al and error to &"nd the r"*ht +o"c"n* and
the r"*ht &"n*er"n* &or any *"+en s"tuat"on
Here5s the A< 2F;$:3 chord "n conte(t !hen used !"th a D m"nor < chord
Advanced Chord #7: The #9#5 Chord
Here "s another &a"rly common chord as &ar as the altered chords *o > the F;F:
A*a"n' !"th dec"d"n* !hat +o"c"n* to use' !e run "nto the 6uest"ons o& !hat melody note
"s needed on to)' and !hat ma%es sense to )lay' as !ell as the l"m"tat"ons o& the *u"tar
and our &"n*ers

Here5s a *reat o))ortun"ty to "ntroduce the conce)t o& the rootless chord S"nce !e
ha+e a lot o& tones to co+er > ma/or th"rd' shar) &"&th' se+enth' and shar) n"ne' lets lea+e
out the root $ecause "t really !on5t a&&ect the o+erall sound !e are *o"n* &or
Here5s a D 2F;F:3 !"th no root=
Advanced Chord #: The b9 Chord
Th"s "s one "s )retty stra"*ht&or!ard -t5s l"%e the ; chord $ut the ;
th
"s mo+ed $ac% one
&ret


Try mo+"n* to th"s h"*her and lo!er str"n*s
Here5s another cool +o"c"n* that has all the tones "ncluded - use my thum$ to &ret the
note on the lo! E str"n*
Advanced Chord #9: The 13 chord
Techn"cally' a G1 chord "n "ts )urest sense !ould conta"n the root' th"rd' &"&th' se+enth'
n"nth' ele+enth' and th"rteenth de*rees But most *u"tars don5t ha+e that many str"n*s7
.or )ract"cal )ur)oses "n the !orld o& *u"tar' !e can th"n% o& a G1 chord as a Dom<
chord !"th the G1
th
note added
Th"n% o& the G1
th
as an octa+e h"*her than the 9
th

Don5t $e "nt"m"ated $y th"s chord > "t5s actually +ery easy to add an add"t"onal note to the
<
th
$arre chord' !hether the root "s on the lo! E str"n*' or the A str"n*
E(am)les=
Th"s chord can $e used "n )lace o& a Dom< chord "n any )ro*ress"on to *"+e "n more
&la+or
Here "s a class"c /a00 cadence > essent"ally a -- C - )ro*ress"on "n the %ey o& A
But "nstead o& Bm< E<' Ama/<' !e ha+e Bm< EG1 A9 4ot"ce the n"ce sound o& the G1
chord here and also the 9 chord 2!h"ch !e sa! )re+"ously3 to *"+e "t that %"ller sound on
the end"n*
Advanced Chord #1!: The 13b9 chord

4o! let us com$"ne the sound o& the G1 chord !"th the ;$ chord to *et a G1$;
Th"s one "s more tr"c%y to &"n*er than some o& the others !e5+e seen so &ar
You need to do a )art"al $arre !"th your "nde( &"n*er and stretch a $"t !"th your )"n%y to
reach the h"*h E str"n*
4e+er stra"n yoursel& 4o )a"n' no *a"n doesn"# a))ly to *u"tar7
-& you can5t &"n*er th"s chord' try another !ay to &"nd the r"*ht notes' )erha)s om"tt"n*
the root' l"%e so=
Th"s chord !or%s *reat as a )ass"n* chord' mean"n* to trans"t"on $et!een chords !"th
some momentary tens"on
Advanced Chord #11: The 6$9 chord

Th"s chord has a sound close to the Ma/or 9 chord $ut sl"*htly
more &la+or&ul due to the added ;
th
de*ree
-t cons"sts o& the root' th"rd' &"&th' s"(th' and n"nth
Here5s a +o"c"n*=
See "& you can come u) !"th a &e! more +o"c"n* o& "t 2H"nt' there5s one more "n the
e(am)le3
Just l"%e the 9 chord' "t sounds *reat as an end"n* chord
Advanced Chord #12: The Add9 chord.
W"th the Add; chord' !e *et "nto a ne! &am"ly o& chords
!here !e are add"n* a tone to a tr"ad So' a CAdd; chord
adds the ;
th
de*ree to a ma/or tr"ad and doesn5t "nclude the <
th
de*ree' "n contrast to the C; chord
The Add; conta"ns the root' th"rd' &"&th' and n"nth
Here5s the most o$+"ous +o"c"n*=
4ot"ce th"s /ust ta%e a root )os"t"on tr"ad and then adds a note
Ho!e+er' you can use any +o"c"n* that ma%es sense
-n the &ollo!"n* e(am)le' !e see o)en )os"t"on chords used
as Add;
Advanced Chord #13: The Minor11 chord.
Here5s another $eaut"&ul m"nor chord +ar"at"on > the m"nor GG
Th"s "s an another e(am)le o& an e(ot"c chord that "s actually not too
hard to )lay As !"th the m"nor ; chord' you can ut"l"0e an ord"nary
$arre chord sha)e and attach and e(tra note !"th your )"n%y
Here5s the eas"est !ay to do "t=
Try m"("n* u) some m"nor;s and some m"nor GGs &or a n"ce &ru"t salad o& m"nor
sound"n* chord +"$es
Here5s a small e(am)le to *et you started=
Advanced Chord #14: The %us chord.
We already sa! the ;sus chord 4o! !e /ust ha+e a s"m)le chord here
!"th root' &ourth' and &"&th
The trad"t"onal $arre chord sha)e loo%s l"%e th"s=
As al!ays' there are other chord sha)es' and some are 6u"te unusual
A common mo+e "n roc% mus"c "s to *o &rom a Sus chord to a Ma/or chord
Advanced Chord #15: The 13 %us chord.
Th"s can $e a $eaut"&ul' and +ery o)en' a"ry sound"n* chord
You can )lay "t as /ust a normal sus chord !"th the added G1
th
'
althou*h that !ould techn"cally $e called Sus add G1
You can also )lay "t as a <
th
chord ' ra"s"n* the th"rd and add"n* the G1
th

Th"s sounds *ood "n com$"nat"on !"th a ma/or <

th
chord' as "n the &ollo!"n* e(am)le
2E ma/< to E sus G13
Advanced Chord #16: The 7 #5 chord
The shar) : chord' or Dom < shar) : sounds some!hat ha))y and at the same t"me
has a lot o& $u"lt "n tens"on
To create th"s chord' /ust ta%e a normal <
th
chord and ra"se the :
th
Th"s m"*ht $e a *ood
one to )ract"ce all o+er the nec% "n +ar"ous "n+ers"ons
Here5s one o& the most o$+"ous e(am)les=
Advanced Chord #17: #he b9 sus
Th"s "s another dom"nant chord !"th a sus)ended ?
th
and a &lat ;
th

To create th"s chord' /ust ta%e a normal <

th
chord and ra"se the ma/or 1
rd
to a ?
th
Th"s
m"*ht $e a *ood one to )ract"ce all o+er the nec% "n +ar"ous "n+ers"ons
The ne(t chord "s )layed &rom the root on the :
th
str"n*

So no!' let5s )lay "t start"n* on the 9
th
str"n*

O%' so no! let5s see ho! "t sounds "n a mus"cal s"tuat"on

Advanced Chord #1: Major 7 #11
Th"s "s somet"mes re&erred to as a Ayd"an chord -t5s a s"m)le ma/< chord !"th the
added note o& a #GG Theoret"cally' "t should "nclude a ;
th
too' $ut you can s%") "tH
So the structure o& th"s chord !ould $e= Root' ma/or 1
rd
' natural :
th
' ma/or <
th
and a #GG
.or e(am)le "n C !e ha+e= C' E' @' B and .#.
O% Aet5s see ho! to )lay "tH

4o! let5s see ho! "t sounds "n a mus"cal s"tuat"on


Advanced Chord #19: Minor add9
Th"s "s a sad chord' +ery use&ul and e&ect"+e !hen !e !ant to create some atmos)her"c
sound
A m"nor chord "s $u"lt $y a root' a m"nor 1
rd
and a )er&ect :
th
' $ut "n th"s case !e are
*o"n* to add a ;
th
So &or e(am)le' "n @m !ould $e= @' B$' D and A
Here5s a handy +o"c"n*=

And here5s a mus"cal e(am)le=

Advanced Chord #2!: &iminished 7
Th"s "s !hat !e called a d"m"n"shed chord' "ts structure "s Root' m"nor 1
rd
' &lat :
th
and a
d"m"n"shed <
th
Theoret"cally' "n th"s chord e+ery notes !or%s as a root' so "& !e ha+e an
e(am)le "n C' the notes !ould $e C' E$' @$' B$' so you can use any o& those notes as a
root $ecause the chord sctructure "s $u"lt $y m"nor th"rd "nter+als stac%ed on to) o& each
other
Here5s an e(am)le o& one o& those E' D'@'B str"n* +o"c"n*s - ment"oned earl"er=

These chords are +ery used &or connect"n* chords chromat"cally Aet5s see ho! that
!or%s "n a mus"cal conte(t

Advanced Chord #21: Minor 7 b5
Th"s "s a +ery "m)ortant chord -& you e+er )layed /a00' you should %no! that the <
th
de*ree o& the scale "s a m"nor <$ chord You can also chan*e the -- chord "n a --#C#-
)ro*ress"on &rom a m"nor< to a m"nor<$: The structure o& the chord "s l"%e th"s= Root'
1
rd
m"nor' a &lat :
th
and a m"nor <th
So let5s see ho! to )lay "tH

O%' so no! -5m *o"n* to sho! you that -- C - "n @ma/<

Advanced Chord #22: Minor 6
Th"s "s a s"m)le m"nor chord $ut !"th the added note o& a ma/or 9' !h"ch *"+es a s)ec"al
&la+or to the chord So the chord structure "s= Root' m"nor 1
rd
' )er&ect :
th
and a ma/or 9
.or e(am)le "n A !ould $e= A' C' E and .#.
So let5s see ho! to )lay "tH

Aet5s see ho! that !or%s "n a mus"cal conte(t
Advanced Chord #23: &ominan# add #11
Th"s "s another dom"nant chord !"th a shar) GG
th

To create th"s chord' /ust ta%e a normal <

th
chord and ra"se the GG
th

Try th"s sha)e on &or s"0e=

As al!ays' here5s an e(am)le o& ho! "t !or%sH

Advanced Chord #24: &ominan# 'i#h #9
Th"s "s another dom"nant chord !"th a shar) ;
th
Structure "s= Root' ma/or 1
rd
' natural :
th
'
m"nor <
th
and an au*mented ;
th

To create th"s chord' /ust ta%e a normal <

th
chord and ra"se a ma/or ;
th
Th"s one "s also
called the Hendr"( chordH He used to use "t a lot7

Aet5s see ho! "t !or%s "n a mus"cal conte(tH
Advanced Chord #25: Major 7 'i#h a b5
Th"s "s a ma/or chord !"th the add o& a ma/or <
th
and a &lat :
th
Th"s chord "s actually
some!hat common "n Ja00 and &us"on mus"c
-t5s another Ayd"an chord' so !e can use that mode to /am o+er "t' as !ell as the 1
rd
mode o& the melod"c m"nor scale' also called the Ayd"an au*mented scale
The structure !ould $e= Root' ma/or 1
rd
' a &lat : and a ma/or <


Aet5s see ho! "t !or%s "n a mus"cal conte(tH
Advanced Chord #26: Major 9 add #11
Th"s "s another lyd"an chord # "t5s a s"m)le ma/or < chord' add"n* $oth a ;
th
and a #GG

So the structure o& th"s chord !ould $e= Root' ma/or 1
rd
' natural :
th
' ma/or <
th
' ma/or ;
and a #GG
.or e(am)le "n C !e ha+e= C' E' @' B' D and .#.

Aet5s see ho! "t !or%s "n a mus"cal conte(tH

Advanced Chord #27: &ominan# 13 #11
Another dom"nant chord' "n th"s case !e ha+e a shar) GG' so theor"cally a dom"nant G1
has all the "nter+als' ;' GG and G1 The "dea here "s to &"nd some cool sha)es that hel) us
to *et a n"ce sound !h"le )lay"n* some o& the notes' $ecause "ts "m)os"$le to )lay all o&
them
O% Aet5s see ho! to )lay "tH


Aet5s see ho! "t !or%s "n a mus"cal conte(tH

Advanced Chord #2: Major 7 #5
Th"s "s a ma/or chord !"th the add o& a ma/or <
th
and a shar) :
th
Th"s chord "s +ery used
"n Ja00 and &us"on mus"c
-t5s another Ayd"an chord' so !e can use that mode to /am o+er "t' as !ell as the 1
rd
mode o& the melod"c m"nor scale' also called the Ayd"an au*mented scale
The structure !ould $e= Root' ma/or 1
rd
' a shar) :
th
and a ma/or <
O%' so let5s see ho! to )lay "t7


Aet5s see ho! "t !or%s "n a mus"cal conte(tH

Advanced Chord #29: Major 7 sus
Th"s "s a ma/or < chord !"th a sus)ended ?
th
' you can also &"nd th"s chord as ma/GG
The chord structure "s= Root' ?
th
' :
th
and a ma/or <
th

Try th"s sha)e=

And no! our usual mus"cal e(am)le
Advanced Chord #3!: &ominan# add 9 #11
Th"s "s a dom"nant chord !"th the added notes o& a ;
th
and a FGG' those e(tra notes *"+e a
+ery /a00y sound to the chord
So let5s see the chord structure=
Root' ma/or 1
rd
' natural :
th
' m"nor <
th
' ma/or ;
th
and an au*mented GG
th

You also can &"nd th"s chord notated as <sus,IGG The sus, means sus)ended ,th !h"ch
"s the same as a ma/or ;
th

O%' so let5s see ho! to )lay "t7

Aet5s see ho! "t !or%s "n a mus"cal conte(tH
Advanced Chord #31: Add #11
Th"s one "s s"m)le a ma/or chord !"th the add o& a shar) GG
th
-t5s most common use "s
!"th the 1
rd
o& the chord "n the $ass .or e(am)le "& the root "s A' "t5s +ery common to
)lay Aadd#GGDC# The chord structure !ould $e= Root' ma/or 1
rd
' )er&ect &"&th and the
shar) GG
Try th"s &un +o"c"n*=

And no! "n a mus"cal conte(tH
Advanced Chord #32: Add9 omi# 3
Th"s "s s"m)ly a ma/or chord !"th the added ;
th
and !e donJt )lay the 1
rd
Theoret"cally
th"s chord could !or% as m"nor too $ecause !e are not )lay"n* the 1
rd
' and that5s the note
that tell us "& the chord "s m"nor or ma/or
O%' so let5s see ho! to )lay "t7



Aet5s see ho! "t !or%s "n a mus"cal conte(tH
Advanced Chord #33: Minor 7 add11
Th"s "s a m"nor < chord !"th the added GG
th
-t5s *reat ho! !e can chan*e the
atmos)here o& a son* $y add"n* /ust one o t!o e(tra notes Th"s one sounds really
smooth and /a00y The structure "s= Root' m"nor 1
rd
' )er&ect :
th
' m"nor <
th
and GG
th

Try th"s sha)e=

And here5s an e(am)le=

Advanced Chord #34: 13 #11 #9
Th"s "s a dom"nant altered chord !"th all the "nter+als The chord structure "s= Root'
ma/or 1
rd
' )er&ect :
th
' m"nor <
th
' F;
th
( FGG
th
and G1
th

O%' so let5s see ho! to )lay "t7

Aet5s see ho! "t !or%s "n a mus"cal conte(tH
Advanced Chord #35: Minor 13
Th"s "s a s"m)le m"nor < !"th the added G1
th
A G1
th
"s noth"n* more than a 9
th
an octa+e
h"*her So "& the root "s C the 9
th
or G1
th
!ould $e an A note The chord structure "s=
root' m"nor 1
rd
' )er&ect :
th
' m"nor <
th
and a G1
th


And let5s see ho! "t !or%sH
Advanced Chord #36: Minor maj7
Another m"nor chord $ut th"s one has a ma/or <' that note add lots o& tens"on to the
chord -t5s common "n Ja00' Bossa no+a and tons o& central Amer"can mus"cal styles
The structure "s= root' m"nor 1
rd
' )er&ect :
th
and a ma/or <
th

Here5s /ust one +o"c"n*=

And let5s see ho! "t !or%s "n a mus"cal conte(tH
Advanced Chord #37: &ominan# #11b9
Th"s "s another dom"nant altered chord So !e ha+e the $as"c dom"nant chord )lus a &lat
;
th
and a shar) GG
th
The structure !ould $e= root' 1
rd
mayor' )er&ect &"&th' m"nor <
th
' a &lat
;
th
and a shar) GG
th

Somet"mes "t5s "m)oss"$le to )lay all the notes' $es"des' that5s not really the "dea When
you see a com)le( chord l"%e th"s "n a /a00 standard' &or e(am)le' the "dea "s to choose
the most "m)ortant notes
.or e(am)le' here5s one +o"c"n* !here - choose the root' 1
rd
' the <
th
and the t!o e(tra
notes

Here5s an e(am)le o& "t !or%"n*=

Advanced Chord #3: &ominan# #9 b9 #5
Another dom"nant altered chord !"th t!o ;
th
de*rees a shar) and a &lat one7 And also a
shar) :
th
So th"s chord structure !ould $e= root' ma/or 1
rd
' shar) :
th
' m"nor <
th
' shar) ;
th
and &lat
;
th


And let5s see ho! "t !or%s "n a mus"cal conte(tH
Advanced Chord #39: Minor 9 'i#h maj7
Th"s "s a m"nor chord !"th the add o& a ;
th
and a ma/or <
th
We can &"nd th"s chord !"th
d"&&erent names' such as Am;Dma/< or AmDma/;
The structure "s= root' m"nor 1
rd
' )er&ect :
th
' ma/or <
th
and ma/or ;
th

And let5s see ho! "t !or%s "n a mus"cal conte(tH
Advanced Chord #4!: Major 9 #5
Th"s "s a ma/or chord !"th ma/or <
th
' ;
th
and a shar) :
th
-t !or%s *reat &or connect"n* to
the relat"+e m"nor' e(am)le= Dma/;#: to Bm; O%' the structure "s= root' ma/or 1
rd
' shar)
:
th
' ma/or <
th
and ;
th

4o! let5s see ho! to )lay "t=

Here "s a mus"cal e(am)le &or you=

Advanced Chord #41: Minor 7 b5 add 11
Th"s "s a m"nor chord !"th a &lat :
th
' a m"nor < and a GG
th
The chord m<$: "s one o& the
most common chords "n all %"nd o& mus"c' and "t5s *reat &or trans"t"on"n* to dom"nant
chords
Also "t5s a *reat su$st"tute &or the m"nor < chord "n the -- C - )ro*ress"on Here5s a
+o"c"n* you can use !"th a )art"al $arre and stretch"n* u) !"th your )"n%y to h"t that
h"*h note
W"th any o& these chords' )lease &eel &ree to create your o!n +o"c"n*s' &"n*er"n*s' and
e(am)les That5s !here you5ll really ha+e &un e()lor"n*7
O& course' as al!ays' - )ro+"de someth"n* to *et you started Chec% "t out=
Advanced Chord #42: %us4 add9
Th"s "s a sus)ended chord !"th the add o& a ;
th
-t sounds really *reat =3
Aet5s ta%e a loo% at the chord structure= root' a ?
th
' )er&ect :
th
and a ma/or ;
th

O%' so no! let5s see ho! to )lay "t7

And let5s see ho! "t !or%s "n a mus"cal conte(tH
Advanced Chord #43: #11 no 3
rd
Th"s "s an hy$r"d chord' as you not"ced there5s no 1
rd
so !e can5t say "& "t5s m"nor or
ma/or and !"th the add o& a shar) GG
th
"t sounds )retty e(ot"c The structure "s s"m)le=
root' :
th
and a shar) GG
th
Chec% "t out7
Here "s a &"n*er"n* !h"ch may challen*e you=

And let5s see ho! "t !or%s "n a mus"cal conte(tH
Advanced Chord #44: 13 b5
Th"s "s a dom"nant altered chord !"th the added ;
th
' G1
th
and a &lat :
th
All those
"nter+als add lots o& tens"on
Here5s the chord structure= root' ma/or 1
rd
' &lat :' m"nor <
th
' a ma/or ;
th
and a G1
th

Chec% "t out ho! "t sounds7

And let5s see ho! "t !or%s "n a mus"cal conte(tH
Advanced Chord #45: Add 11
Th"s "s a ma/or chord !"th the add o& a GG
th
The structure "s= root' ma/or 1
rd
' )er&ect :
th
and the GG
th
-t can also ha+e a ;
th
H so let5s try "t and see ho! "t sounds7

And let5s see ho! "t !or%s "n a mus"cal conte(tH
Advanced Chord #46: Au)men#ed.
Th"s one "s a s"m)le ma/or chord $ut !"th a shar) :
th
So the structure !ould $e= root'
ma/or 1
rd
and shar) :
th
We already co+ered th"s chord "n sect"on t!o These chords are
+ery common "n /a00 and &us"on mus"c

And let5s see ho! "t !or%s "n a mus"cal conte(tH"n th"s case - used a C#*$E
The sym$ol D means !"th the $ass "n
Advanced Chord #47: Minor 9 b5
Th"s "s a m"nor chord !"th a &lat :
th
and the add o& a ;
th
So the structure !ould $e=
Root' m"nor 1
rd
' &lat :
th
and a ma/or ;
th
-t also can ha+e a m"nor <
th



And let5s see ho! "t !or%s "n a mus"cal conte(tH
Advanced Chord #4: +b7sus,add3-
Th"s "s a dom"nant chord !"th a sus)ended ?
th
$ut !e also )lay the ma/or 1
rd
The chord
structure !ould $e= Root' ma/or 1
rd
' natural ?
th
' )er&ect :
th
and m"nor <
th

Th"s can *et tr"c%y' $ut here5s a &eas"$le &"n*er"n*=

And let5s see ho! "t !or%s "n a mus"cal conte(tH
Advanced Chord #49: Minor 6 add9
Th"s one "s a m"nor chord !"th the added 9
th
and ;
th
So the chord structure !ould $e=
Root' m"nor 1
rd
' )er&ect :
th
' ma/or 9
th
and a ma/or ;
th

-t5s *reat &or end"n* a son*' "t *"+es a cool /a00y sound to "t


Advanced Chord #5!: Minor 11 b5
Th"s "s a &lat :
th
m"nor chord !"th the add o& a <
th
' a ;
th
and a GG
th
Actually -5m not
)lay"n* the ;
th
"n the chord $elo! $ecause - ha+en5t enou*h &"n*ers &or )lay"n* all the
"nter+als' so !e ha+e to lea+e some note out


And let5s see ho! "t !or%s "n a mus"cal conte(tH
Advanced Chord #51: 13 #11 b9
Th"s one "s an altered dom"nant chord !"th G1
th
' &lat ;
th
and shar) GG
th
As !e %no! the
dom"nant structure "s= Root' ma/or 1
rd
' )er&ect :
th
and m"nor <
th
Th"s "s a *ood end"n*
chord
O%' so no! let5s see ho! to )lay "t7 Ma%e sure to use the $arre techn"6ue !here
a))ro)r"ate to na"l some o& these &"n*er"n*s

And let5s see ho! "t !or%s "n a mus"cal conte(tH
Advanced Chord #52: 7 #11 #9
Th"s "s another altered dom"nant chord !"th a shar) ;
th
and GG
th
So the chord structure
!ould $e= Root' ma/or 1
rd
' )er&ect :
th
' m"nor <
th
' shar) ;
th
and GG
th

O%' so let5s see ho! to )lay "t7

And let5s see ho! "t !or%s "n a mus"cal conte(tH
Advanced Chord #53: 7 sus 4.3
Another dom"nant chord !"th a sus)ended ?
th
$ut also !e )lay the ma/or 1
rd

Structure= Root' ma/or 1

rd
' )er&ect ?
th
' )er&ect :
th
and m"nor <
th



Here5s ho! you m"*ht use "t=
Advanced Chord #54: 9 sus 4.3
Th"s "s another dom"nant chord !"th a sus)ended ?
th
$ut also !e )lay the ma/or 1
rd
And
also !e added a ma/or ;
th
So chec% "t out ho! "t soundsH

And let5s see ho! "t !or%s "n a mus"cal conte(tH
Advanced Chord #55: Minor$maj7 #11
Th"s one "s a m"nor chord !"th a ma/or <
th
and a shar) GG
th
So "ts structure !ould $e=
Root' m"nor 1
rd
' )er&ect :
th
' ma/or < and shar) GG
th
Chec% "t out ho! "t sounds7

And let5s see ho! "t !or%s "n a mus"cal conte(tH
Advanced Chord #56: 13 #9
Th"s "s a dom"nant chord !"th the add o& a au*mented ;
th
and a ma/or G1
th

The structure !ould $e= Root' ma/or 1
rd
' )er&ect :
th
' m"nor <
th
' au* ;
th
and ma/or G1
th



Aet5s see ho! "t !or%s "n a mus"cal conte(tH
Advanced Chord #57: 7 b9 #5
Th"s "s an altered dom"nant chord !"th au*mented :
th
and a m"nor ;
th
Theoret"cally "t5s
used to )lay "t $e&ore a m"nor root .or e(am)le= A<$;I: D Dm< DD Chec% "t out7

Here "t "s "n a mus"cal conte(tH
Advanced Chord #5: Minor 7 add 13 add 11.
Th"s "s a m"nor < chord !"th all the "nter+als added The ;
th
' GG
th
and G1
th
.or s"m)l"c"ty'
!e can !r"te "t as a m"norG1 Chec% "t out7

Aet5s see ho! "t !or%s "n a mus"cal conte(tH
Advanced Chord #59: Maj9 b5
Th"s "s a ma/or < chord !"th the add o& a ma/or ;
th
and a &lat : -t sounds +ery Ja00y
Here5s a cool e(am)le=


Advanced Chord #6!: Minor maj7 b13
We are /ust a$out at the end o& the $oo% These ad+anced chords start to all $lend
to*ether' $ut "ts *ood to *et e()osure to all o& them
Th"s )art"cular +ar"at"on "s another m"nor chord !"th a ma/or <
th
$ut !e added a &lat G1
Chec% "t out7

Aet5s see ho! "t !or%s "n a mus"cal conte(tH
Advanced Chord #61: Minor add9 add11
Th"s "s a m"nor chord !"th the add o& a ma/or ;
th
and a )er&ect GG
th

Aet5s see ho! to )lay "t7

And let5s see ho! "t !or%s "n a mus"cal conte(tH
Advanced Chord #62: 13 b5 b9
Th"s "s another dom"nant altered chord !"th a &lat :
th
and ;
th
and a ma/or G1
th



And let5s see ho! "t !or%s "n a mus"cal conte(tH
Advanced Chord #63: 7 #9 b9
Another dom"nant chord !"th ;
th
' - l"%e to use th"s chord $e&ore )lay"n* a m"nor Ton"c
And - )lay &"rst !"th the au*mented ;
th
and then the &lat ;
th
to connect the Ton"c
Aet5s see ho! to )lay "t7

And let5s see ho! "t !or%s "n a mus"cal conte(tH
Advanced Chord #64: Au) add9
Th"s "s an au*mented chord !"th the add o& a ma/or ;
th
So let5s see th"s chord5s
structure= Root' ma/or 1
rd
' shar) :
th
and a ma/or ;
th

Aet5s see ho! to )lay "t7

And let5s see ho! "t !or%s "n a mus"cal conte(tH
Advanced Chord #65: Maj7 add13
Th"s "s a ma/or <
th
chord !"th the add o& a ma/or G1
th
Aet5s see ho! to )lay "t7

And no! let5s see ho! "t !or%s "n a mus"cal conte(tH

/012% %+CT301: %4A%5 C506&%
Th"s ones are s"m)le chords !"th the 1
rd
or the :
th
note "n the $ass' $ut also !e can use
others notes o& the related scale
So ne(t' -Km *o"n* to sho! you some o& the most used s)l"t chords and ho! !e can use
them "n a mus"cal s"tuat"on
+71: 8$A
Th"s "s a @ ma/or chord !"th an A "n the $ass The A note "s the second note o& the @
ma/or scale Also you can &"nd th"s chord !"th another name' l"%e AGG
So no! letKs see ho! to )lay "t7

Aet5s ta%e a loo% at th"s chord "n a mus"cal conte(tH
+72: A$8
Th"s "s an A ma/or chord !"th a @ note "n the $ass Th"s "s a m"(olyd"an chord' so th"s
chord "s related to the D ma/or scale Chec% "t out7

Aet5s ta%e a loo% at th"s chord "n a mus"cal conte(tH

+73: &$9#
Th"s "s a +ery used chord' "tKs a D ma/or !"th the 1
rd
note "n the $ass Chec% "t out7
+74: &$C
Another +ery used chord' "tKs a common D ma/or chord !"th C note "n the $ass -tKs a
lyd"an chord' so th"s chord "s related to the @ ma/or scale or E m"nor
AetKs ta%e a loo% at th"s chord7

And th"s "s a +ery common !ay o& us"n* "t "n a mus"cal conte(t7
+75: &$+
Another +ery used chord' s)ecc"ally "n the L8s' "tKs a D ma/or chord !"th an E note "n
the $ass Th"s chord also can $e called Em;sus? Chec% "t out7
And letKs ta%e a loo% at th"s chord "n a mus"cal s"tuat"on7
+76: Am$8
Th"s "s an A m"nor chord !"th the m"nor <
th
and the $ass' "n th"s case "tKs a @ note
AetKs see ho! to )lay "t7
And "n a mus"cal s"tuat"onH7
+77: 8$/
Th"s "s a common ma/or chord !"th "ts 1
rd
ma/or "n the $ass Chec% "t out7

letKs ta%e a loo% at th"s chord "n a mus"cal s"tuat"on7
+7: A$C#
Th"s "s the same as the )re+"ous chord $ut "n other %ey and )os"t"on -tKs an A ma/or !"th
the ma/or 1
rd
"n the $ass' !h"ch "s a CF Th"s chords are *reat &or connect"n* to the ?
th
de*ree and also chromat"cally Chec% "t out7
letKs ta%e a loo% at th"s chord "n a mus"cal s"tuat"on7
+79: 9$A
Th"s "s the same as the E(1 $ut "n other %ey Th"s chord has the 1
rd
"n the $ass )layed "n
the 9
th
str"n*
AetKs see ho! to )lay "t7

And letKs ta%e a loo% at th"s chord "n a mus"cal s"tuat"on7
+71!: 9m$Ab
Th"s "s the same as the )re+"ous chord $ut no! -Km *o"n* to sho! you a m"nor chord
!"th the 1
rd
"n the 9
th
str"n* Chec% "t out7
And letKs ta%e a loo% at th"s chord "n a mus"cal s"tuat"on7
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