This lesson shows how you can simplify those big jazz chords and break them down to the core seventh chords or triads. This can be really helpful in negotiating progressions while playing walking basslines or playing chords on bass when there are less notes available over 4 strings.
Stacking 3rds
To Simplify Natural Extensions:
Replace the number 9, 11 or 13 with the number 7.
Examples:
Cmaj9 – C Maj7
Cmaj11 – C Maj7
Cmaj13 – C Maj7
C9 – C7
C11 – C7
C13 – C7
Cm9 – Cm7
Cm11 – Cm7
Cm13 – Cm7
Chord Progression: Cmaj9 – Am11 – Dm9 – G13
Simplified: Cmaj7 – Am7 – Dm7 – G7
To Simplify Altered Extensions:
Remove them.
Examples:
Cmaj7#11 – C Maj7
C7b9 – C7
C7#9 – C7
C7#11 – C7
C7b13 – C7
C7b9#11 – C7
C7b9b13 – C7
Cm7b9 – Cm7
Cm7b13 – Cm7
Cmb9b13 – Cm7
To Simplify A Combination Of Altered & Natural Extensions:
Remove Alterations and Replace Natural 9, 11, 13 with 7.
Examples:
Cmaj9#11 – Cmaj7
Cmaj13#11 – Cmaj7
C9#11 – C7
C13b9 – C7
C11b9 – C7
Cm9b13 – Cm7
Cm11b9 – Cm7
Warning: Altered 5ths Are NOT Extensions. When Simplifying #5 and b5 must remain in the Chord.
Examples:
Cmaj9#5 – Cmaj7#5
C7#5b9 – C7#5
C7#5#11 – C7#5
C9#5#11 – C7#5
Cm9b5 – Cm7b5
Cm7b5b9 – Cm7b5
Cm11b5 – Cm7b5
Cm11b5b13 – Cm7b5
Chord Progression: Cmaj7#11 – Am7b13 – Dm7b5b9 – G7b9b13
Simplified: Cmaj7 – Am7 – Dm7b5 – G7
To Simplify Added Note Chords
Remove the 6 or 9 from the symbol (Simplify To Triad).
Examples:
C6 – C
Cadd9 – C
C6/9 – C
Cm6 – Cm
CmAdd9 – Cm
Cm6/9 – Cm
Simplifying Seventh Chords Down to Triads:
Maj7 – Major Triad
7 – Major Triad
m7 – Minor Triad
m(Maj7) – Minor Triad
Maj7#5 – Augmented Triad
7#5 – Augmented Triad
m7b5 – Diminished Triad
Dim7 – Diminished Triad
Backing Tracks
II V I Altered Simplified
II V I Altered
II V I Extended Simplified
II V I Extended
The information alone really helpful! About the time I began playing bass over a year ago, my friend, an equally motivated acoustic guitar player,
was doing real well getting the basic “bank” of chords down. Songs with those fancy extensions we thought about trying got tossed aside, “add9” huh?
Many, many moons from now, we might we ready to tackle and enjoy the added spice these chords offer..but for now, it’s “simplify”. Thank You Mark!
Hi Mark, Great lesson. You explain everything so clearly. Well done again. I’m really looking forward to your coarse on sight reading. Cheers
I’ve been waiting for this a long time. Great job Mike. Be blessed
Hi Mark, Great lesson again!
When creating walkingbass lines. Do you then normaly use these extended notes?
Start with the chord tones then look to include the extended notes. There are no rules as to what you include. You develop and ear and a vocabulary but the extended notes are a part of that vocabulary. So yes, you do include them in the lines if you’re looking to include scale notes/non chord tones.
Hey Mark, I real understand you clearly I’ve been learning your bass guitar chords lessons and now I’m learning appergios but I’m lost on that please help me. I’m a new member. thanks in advance.