Untitled

Lessons

Suspension

minor seven, flat five

how high?

2, 4 and 6 OR 9, 11 and 13?

When is the note two half-steps higher than the root of the chord 2 and when is it 9?
When is the note five half-steps higher than the root of the chord 4 and when is it 11?
When is the note nine half-steps higher than the root of the chord 6 and when is it 13?

The answer, in a nutshell, is that if a note higher than the sixth degree is in the chord, these notes assume their higher identities. Otherwise they retain their simpler names and functions.

For example:

The chord symbol for a chord spelled C   E   G   A  is  C6
The chord symbol for a chord spelled C   E   G   A   B  is  Cmaj7^(add13)
Think of it spelled C   E   G   B   (add A)
Once the 7th is present, the 6th becomes the 13th.

The chord symbol for a chord spelled C F G is C^(sus4) OR C^(sus) but never C^(sus11)
The chord symbol for a chord spelled C E G B F♯ is Cmaj7^(♯11) -

EXCEPTION:
The chord symbol for a chord spelled C D E G would theoretically be C^(add2).
By virtue of its function and typical use, its symbol is C^(add9).
(Reminder: C9 would include B♭, which is an entirely different sounding and functioning chord.)

Chord	Spelling	Symbol	Chord	Spelling	Symbol
Major Triad	1 3 5	A	minor triad	1 ♭3 5	Am
Six Chord	1 3 5 6	A6	minor six chord	1 ♭3 5 6	Am6
Major Seven Chord	1 3 5 7	Amaj7	Seven Chord	1 3 5 ♭7	A7
minor seven chord	1 ♭3 5 ♭7	Am7	minor (major 7) chord	1 ♭3 5 7	Am^(maj7)
diminished chord	1 ♭3 ♭5	A𝇈	Augmented Chord	1 3 ♯5	A+
Suspension	1 4 5	A^sus	Thirteen Chord	1 3 5 ♭7 9 11 13	A13
Major Thirteen Chord	1 3 5 7 9 11 13	Amaj13	minor thirteen chord	1 ♭3 5 ♭7 9 11 13	Am13
minor seven, flat five chord	1 ♭3 ♭5 ♭7	Am7^(♭5)	half-diminished seven chord	1 ♭3 ♭5 ♭7	Aø7
add 9 chord	1 3 5 2 (9)	A^(add9)	diminished seven chord	1 ♭3 ♭5 𝄫7	A𝇈7