Non-chord Tones & An Introduction to Modes

Music Studies 1

Non-Chord Tones

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

Scale degree 1 9 3 11 5 13 7

Cmaj7 Chord tones C E G B

Non-chord tones D✓ F✗ A✓

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.

Scale degree 1 9 3 11 5 13 7

Cmaj7 Chord tones C E G B

Non-chord tones D✓ F✗ A✓

• 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✗

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✗

• 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.

Scale degree 1 9 b3 11 5 13 b7

Dm7 Chord tones D F A C

Non-chord tones E✓ G✓ B✗

TRITONE!!!

• 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!!!

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.

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.

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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

Tensions are like decorations on the cake…

Chord tones

Tensions

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.

Non-chord tones• The chord tones of the Am7 chord are A C E G

• The diatonic non-chord tones are B D F.