tensions and modes
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Non-chord Tones & An Introduction to Modes
Music Studies 1
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Non-Chord Tones
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Chord Tones• A chord tone is a note that is part of a chord.
• e.g. the chord tones for a major seventh chord are the root, 3rd, 5th and 7th.
Cmaj77 5 3 1
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Non-Chord Tones• Non-chord tones are notes that are NOT in the chord.
• The following table illustrates the diatonic non-chord tones for Cmaj7 (in the key of C major).
Scale degree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Cmaj7Chord tones
C E G B
Cmaj7Diatonic
Non-chord tones
D F A
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Non-chord tones - Tensions•If we extend any chord by adding pitches following the cycle of 3rds as far as possible without repeating a pitch, we arrive at the tensions.
•These extensions to the chords (the non-chord tones) are called “tensions”.
•They are not referred to as the scale degrees 2, 4 6, but rather 9, 11 & 13.
13 11 9
b7 5
b3 1
13 11 9 7 5 3 1
b13 11 9
b7 5
b3 1
Cmaj13 Dm13 Am13
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Tensions• Tensions EXTEND the chord.
• Rather than being called the 2nd, 4th and 6th scale degrees, they are referred to as the 9th, 11th and 13th.
Scale degree 1 9 3 11 5 13 7
Cmaj7Chord tones
C E G B
Cmaj7Diatonic
Non-chord tones
D F A
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Tensions (Harmony text p36-39)
• Tensions create a ‘tense’ intervallic relationship with the chord tones of the chord.
• Tensions ‘spice’ up or add colour to chords - WITHOUT DISRUPTING THE FUNCTION OF THE CHORD
• If you put all the chord tones and tensions of a chord in alphabetical order, you would have a scale, but separated by 3rds.
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Available Tensions• In general - available tensions are those that
sound good with the chord.
• If there is a whole step between a chord tone and the tension above it, the tension is said to be ‘available’ as it doesn’t create a half-step clash.
• i.e. in C major, the available tensions on the Cmaj7 chord are the 9th & 13th. These are both a whole step above the 1st & 5th chord tones.
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Scale degree 1 9 3 11 5 13 7
Cmaj7 Chord tones C E G B
Non-chord tones D✓ F✗ A✓
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Unavailable Tensions• In the key of C - F is unavailable over Cmaj7
Em7 and Am7 as it is only a 1/2 step above the E in each chord.
• Also remember - the 4th degree of the scale is an unavailable tension over the tonic functioning chords.
• In the key of C major, the F will clash with the ‘E’ in each of the tonic functioning chords. i.e. in C major chords Em7 & Am7.
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Scale degree 1 9 3 11 5 13 7
Cmaj7 Chord tones C E G B
Non-chord tones D✓ F✗ A✓
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• i.e. In Em7, neither the b9 or the b13 are available tensions.
Scale degree 1 b9 b3 11 5 b13 b7
Em7 Chord tones E G B D
Non-chord tones F✗ A✓ C✗
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i.e. In Am7, the b13 is an unavailable tension.
Scale degree 1 9 b3 11 5 b13 b7
Am7 Chord tones A C E G
Non-chord tones B✓ D✓ F✗
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• In a major key signature, the 13 is normally UNAVAILABLE in a IIm7 chord as it creates a TRITONE with the b3.
• i.e. in the key of C major, the 13 is an unavailable tension in the Dm7 chord, as a tritone exists between the chord tone of F and the tension of B.
• A tritone has dominant function - to be avoided on a tonic functioning chord.
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Scale degree 1 9 b3 11 5 13 b7
Dm7 Chord tones D F A C
Non-chord tones E✓ G✓ B✗
TRITONE!!!
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• Use the 13, but only as a passing note.
• Don’t SIT on the note over the chord.
Scale degree 1 9 b3 11 5 13 b7
Dm7 Chord tones D F A C
Non-chord tones E✓ G✓ B✗
TRITONE!!!
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There are exceptions to every rule.
It is important that you play and listen to the tensions, while referring to the material on pages 36 - 39 of the Harmony Textbook.
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Chord Symbols with Tensions• Cmaj9 - infers that the 7th and 9th are included in the chord.
• Cmaj11 - infers that the 7th, 9th and 11th are included in the chord.
• Cmaj13 - infers that the 7th, 9th, 11th and 13th are all included in the chord.
• Cmaj7(13) - infers that the 7th is included in the chord, and the only tension included in the chord is the 13th. Not the 9th or 11th.
• Cmaj7( ) - infers the Cmaj7 chord is being played with the 9th and 13th tensions, but not the 11th.
139
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The Quality of the Tension• Don’t forget to consider the quality of the tension in
regards to the root of the chord.
• Dm7 chord = 1, b3, 5, b7, 9, 11, 13.
13 11 9
b7 5
b3 1
Dm13
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Tensions are like decorations on the cake…
Chord tones
Tensions
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Non-Chord Tones• In the example below, the chord tones are coloured red,
and the diatonic non-chord tones are in green.
• In this example, the black notes are the chromatic non-diatonic non-chord tones.
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Non-chord tones• The chord tones of the Am7 chord are A C E G
• The diatonic non-chord tones are B D F.