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Jazz guitarists often seek to enrich their chord voicings by incorporating altered and extended notes. These notes add tension, color, and sophistication to standard chords, creating a more expressive and dynamic sound. Understanding how to effectively include these notes is essential for developing a compelling jazz guitar vocabulary.
Understanding Altered and Extended Notes
Altered notes are modifications of the chord tones, typically involving the flats or sharps of the chord’s fifth or ninth. Extended notes go beyond the seventh, adding the ninth, eleventh, or thirteenth to the basic triad or seventh chord. Both types of notes contribute to the complex harmony characteristic of jazz.
Common Altered Notes in Jazz Guitar
- b5 (diminished fifth)
- #5 (augmented fifth)
- b9 (flat ninth)
- #9 (sharp ninth)
- b13 (flat thirteenth)
- #11 (sharp eleventh)
Incorporating Altered and Extended Notes into Voicings
To incorporate these notes, guitarists often use voice leading techniques and target specific tones within the chord. For example, an altered dominant chord might include a b9 and #5 to create tension before resolving to a tonic chord. Playing these notes in the upper voices or as passing tones adds color without cluttering the harmony.
Voicing Tips for Jazz Guitar
- Use close-position voicings to include altered tones within a compact shape.
- Experiment with dropping certain chord tones to create more open, spacious voicings.
- Incorporate passing tones between chord changes to smooth transitions.
- Practice voice leading to connect altered chords seamlessly to resolve tensions.
Examples of Chord Voicings
Below are some typical jazz guitar voicings that include altered and extended notes:
- G7alt: 3rd fret on the 6th string, 2nd fret on the 4th string, 3rd fret on the 3rd string, 1st fret on the 2nd string
- C13: 3rd fret on the 5th string, 2nd fret on the 4th string, 3rd fret on the 3rd string, 3rd fret on the 2nd string
- F7#11: 1st fret on the 6th string, 3rd fret on the 4th string, 2nd fret on the 3rd string, 1st fret on the 2nd string
Practice Strategies
Practicing altered and extended voicings involves slow, deliberate repetition and listening carefully to how the notes interact. Use backing tracks or play along with recordings to internalize the sound. Focus on voice leading, ensuring smooth transitions between chords, and experiment with different voicing positions across the fretboard.
Conclusion
Incorporating altered and extended notes into jazz guitar voicings expands your harmonic palette and enhances your improvisational vocabulary. Regular practice and exploration of different voicing techniques will help you craft more expressive and sophisticated jazz lines, enriching your overall playing style.