Unit 36 · Advanced
Extended Chords and Color Tones
Use ninths, elevenths, thirteenths, and alterations for clear color.
- Lesson
- Choose color tones that still serve the chord
- Estimated time
- 155 minutes
- Status
- Previewing
Complete the required prior unit before this unit can be marked complete. You may still read and try every activity.
What you will learn
Build ninth, eleventh, thirteenth, and altered-color sounds from functional seventh chords, then voice them with clear guide tones and playable density.
Why this matters: Extensions are not decorations pasted on top of harmony. They create color when the chord quality, function, register, and voice leading remain intelligible.
Seventh chords · Guide tones · Voice leading · Chord melody · Functional harmony
Color starts after function is clear
Before adding 9, 11, or 13, identify root, third, seventh, and function. A beautiful extension that hides the third or seventh can make the progression weaker.
On guitar, upper structures often work best as partial voicings. Omit roots or fifths when another instrument or context supplies them, but do not omit the information that defines the chord quality.
Progression · Key C · 4/4
Color decisions over a ii-V-I
Advanced harmony still needs function. Add color tones only when the third, seventh, and resolution remain clear.
Read and play
Compact shell colors
| String | 1 | 3 | 1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | - | - | - |
| 2 | 5 | 5 | 3 |
| 3 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
| 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| 5 | - | - | - |
| 6 | - | - | - |
These partial voicings prioritize color and guide tones over full grips. Name each active tone before increasing tempo. Start at 66 BPM.
Observe: functional extensions and color tones
Observe stage for functional extensions and color tones, with instructions and success criteria stated in text.
- Observe a seventh chord before extensions are added.
- Hear 9, 11, and 13 as color over stable guide tones.
- Compare dense grips with clear partial voicings.
Help you can use: Complete model · Decision labels
- Guide tones remain clear.
- Extensions are named and chosen for a reason.
- Voicings are playable and functional.
Try with prompts: functional extensions and color tones
Try with prompts stage for functional extensions and color tones, with instructions and success criteria stated in text.
- Build one extended chord from a seventh shell.
- Name which tone is omitted and why.
- Resolve one color tone by step.
Help you can use: Step list · Single-variable revision
- Guide tones remain clear.
- Extensions are named and chosen for a reason.
- Voicings are playable and functional.
Use fewer prompts: functional extensions and color tones
Use fewer prompts stage for functional extensions and color tones, with instructions and success criteria stated in text.
- Use function labels and color targets.
- Revise any voicing that hides the third or seventh.
- Check register and density after playing.
Help you can use: Check after the attempt
- Guide tones remain clear.
- Extensions are named and chosen for a reason.
- Voicings are playable and functional.
Perform independently: functional extensions and color tones
Perform independently stage for functional extensions and color tones, with instructions and success criteria stated in text.
- Voice a ii-V-I with chosen extensions.
- Explain each omission, color, and resolution.
- Perform the progression in time with sustainable shapes.
Help: Complete without prompts or a model.
- Guide tones remain clear.
- Extensions are named and chosen for a reason.
- Voicings are playable and functional.
Reflect
Defend the color
List each extension, which chord tone defines the quality, what you omitted, and how the color moves into the next chord.
Guided practice
Build the skill in manageable steps
Shell plus one color
Keep advanced voicings functional.
- Play the third and seventh.
- Add one extension.
- Remove any doubled note that muddies the sound.
- Name the resulting function.
- Third and seventh are present.
- The extension is named.
- The voicing fits in time.
- Use only 9ths.
- Add altered dominant colors.
Color-tone resolution
Make extensions move with the harmony.
- Choose one color tone.
- Resolve it by step or common tone.
- Compare with a static version.
- Keep the smoother option.
- The color tone is tracked.
- Resolution is audible.
- Function remains clear.
- Resolve one note.
- Use a full ii-V-I in two keys.
Common mistakes
Match the problem to a better next try
The voicing is thick but the chord quality is unclear.
Likely cause: Extensions were added before guide tones were secured.
Try: Return to third and seventh, then add one color tone.
Large grips break time.
Likely cause: Full spellings were treated as mandatory.
Try: Use partial voicings and document omitted tones.
Knowledge check
Explain the practice decision
Check your work
Choose color tones that still serve the chord assessment
Complete every required criterion and record the requested reflection or value.
You check off guitar-playing tasks yourself. FretGarden only grades tasks where you tap, click, or choose an answer on screen.
Review plan
Return before the idea fades
Build one seventh shell and add one named extension.
Revoice a ii-V-I with fewer notes and clearer color.
Compare 9, 13, and altered dominant color.
Use function-first voicing before adding dense extensions.
Optional extension: Create three versions of the same dominant chord: 9, 13, and altered, then compare their resolutions.