When you start exploring beyond basic guitar chords, you’ll encounter terms like “maj9,” “m11,” or “D/F#.” These names might seem confusing at first, but they describe richer and more nuanced chords that add depth to your guitar playing. This guide will break down two key types of these advanced chords: extended chords and slash chords, clarifying their names and how they function on the guitar.
Let’s first consider extended chords. These chords go beyond the standard triad (three notes) and seventh chords (four notes) by adding higher intervals from the scale. These added intervals are known as extensions: the 9th, 11th, and 13th.
Looking at the notes in a C Major scale:
C – D – E – F – G – A – B
And their corresponding scale degrees:
1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7
If we extend this further into octaves, we get:
C – D – E – F – G – A – B – C – D – E – F – A
1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7 – 8 – 9 – 11 – 13
Here, the 9th is the same note as the 2nd, the 11th is the same as the 4th, and the 13th is the same as the 6th, but played an octave higher. In chord names, these higher octave numbers are used to denote extensions.
Extended chords are typically built upon a 7th chord foundation, specifically major 7, minor 7, or dominant 7 chords. You’ll see names like maj9, maj11, maj13 for extensions of major 7th chords, m9, m11, m13 for minor 7th chords, and simply 9, 11, 13 for dominant 7th chords.
Alt text: C major scale notes displayed on a guitar fretboard, showing positions for each note from C to A in the scale.
The crucial rule for extended chords is that you must include all the lower extension numbers when naming a chord. This differs from “add” chords where you only add the specified note.
For instance, a major 9th chord includes the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, and 9th degrees of the major scale.
Therefore, Cmaj9 consists of the notes:
C – E – G – B – D
Major 11th chords incorporate the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, and 11th degrees.
Cmaj11 is composed of:
C – E – G – B – D – F
Finally, Major 13th chords utilize the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, 11th, and 13th degrees – essentially encompassing the entire major scale within a single chord.
Cmaj13 is made up of:
C – E – G – B – D – F – A
To create minor or dominant extended chords, you adjust the 3rd and 7th intervals as you would when forming minor or dominant 7th chords, while the 9th, 11th, and 13th extensions remain consistent.
Guitarists often face a practical challenge when playing extended chords, especially 11th or 13th chords. Fitting all these notes within the standard six strings can be difficult or impossible. To overcome this, and often to improve the chord’s sonic texture, guitarists commonly omit certain notes.
Easily omitted notes include the 5th, and sometimes extensions lower than the highest one named (for example, the 9th in a 13th chord). In some cases, even the root note can be omitted, depending on the musical context.
For example, when encountering a Cmajor13 chord in a song, a guitarist might choose the voicing that best suits the song’s arrangement. Sometimes, even playing a Cmaj7 might be preferred if a full Cmaj13 voicing is too complex or doesn’t fit the musical flow. This practical approach is crucial for adapting chord theory to the guitar.
Alt text: Two guitar chord diagrams illustrating common finger positions for Cmaj7 and Cmaj9 chords, demonstrating practical guitar voicings.
Slash Chords Explained
Slash chords, like D/F#, introduce another layer of specificity to chord names. In other instruments, these are often referred to as inversions, where the order of chord tones is rearranged to create different bass notes. While guitarists constantly play inversions due to the instrument’s nature and physical limitations, slash chord notation clarifies the intended bass note.
A slash chord tells you two things: the chord to play (indicated on the left of the slash) and the desired bass note (indicated on the right).
For example, D/F# means you should play a D chord, but ensure the lowest note played is F#.
D (chord) / F# (bass note)
It’s important to understand that a slash chord is not a combination of two separate chords. It remains a D chord; the F# simply specifies the bass note. You achieve this either by adding the F# as the lowest note in your D chord voicing or by choosing a D chord shape that naturally places F# in the bass.
Slash chords are valuable tools for creating smooth bass lines and harmonic movement in guitar arrangements, giving you more control over the chord’s overall sound and function within a song.
By understanding both extended and slash chords and their naming conventions, you’ll significantly expand your guitar vocabulary and your ability to interpret and play a wider range of musical styles.
