ЁЯО╣ EXTENDED & ADVANCED CHORD SHORTCUT GUIDE ЁЯО╣
ЁЯО╣ EXTENDED & ADVANCED CHORD SHORTCUT GUIDE
(For all keys — use the same formulas)
Master extended chords with these visual shortcuts. Each chord type builds on simpler ones, making complex harmony accessible.
Seventh Chords (4-note chords)
| Cmaj7 | 1 – 3 – 5 – 7 | C E G B | Smooth, dreamy, jazzy (used in pop/jazz/worship) |
| C7 (Dominant 7) | 1 – 3 – 5 – ♭7 | C E G B♭ | Blues/gospel "tension" sound |
| Cm7 | 1 – ♭3 – 5 – ♭7 | C E♭ G B♭ | Soulful, relaxed minor color |
| Cdim7 | 1 – ♭3 – ♭5 – ♭♭7 (A) | C E♭ G♭ A | Dramatic tension, resolves up ½ step |
| Cm(maj7) | 1 – ♭3 – 5 – 7 | C E♭ G B | Sad but beautiful — used in cinematic scores |
| C├╕7 (half-diminished) | 1 – ♭3 – ♭5 – ♭7 | C E♭ G♭ B♭ | Used in jazz and minor ii° progressions |
Shortcut memory:
Major = 7
Dominant = ♭7
Minor = ♭3 + ♭7
Dim = ♭3 + ♭5 + ♭♭7
Add Chords (add tone)
| Cadd9 | 1 – 3 – 5 – 9 (D) | C E G D | Bright and open (modern pop, worship) |
| Csus2 | 1 – 2 – 5 | C D G | Light and suspended |
| Csus4 | 1 – 4 – 5 | C F G | Creates tension before resolving to C |
| Cadd11 | 1 – 3 – 5 – 11 (F) | C E G F | Wide and full; cinematic chord |
| Cadd13 | 1 – 3 – 5 – 13 (A) | C E G A | Jazzy flavor, often used in lounge or R&B |
Shortcut:
"Add" = keep the major chord, then simply add that extra note (2, 4, 6, 9, 11, 13).
C
+
E
+
G
+
Add
Ninth Chords
| Cmaj9 | 1 – 3 – 5 – 7 – 9 | C E G B D | Soft jazz worship color |
| C9 | 1 – 3 – 5 – ♭7 – 9 | C E G B♭ D | Dominant gospel sound |
| Cm9 | 1 – ♭3 – 5 – ♭7 – 9 | C E♭ G B♭ D | Warm emotional tone |
| C7♭9 | 1 – 3 – 5 – ♭7 – ♭9 | C E G B♭ D♭ | Strong tension chord (used before resolution) |
| C7#9 | 1 – 3 – 5 – ♭7 – #9 | C E G B♭ D# | "Jimi Hendrix" chord — funky or gospel tension |
Shortcut:
9 = 7 + 2 → Think "play a 7th chord, then add 2"
7th
+
2
=
9th
Eleventh Chords
| C11 | 1 – 3 – 5 – ♭7 – 9 – 11 | C E G B♭ D F | Huge gospel/jazz sound |
| Cm11 | 1 – ♭3 – 5 – ♭7 – 9 – 11 | C E♭ G B♭ D F | Minor worship pad / ambient |
| Cmaj11 | 1 – 3 – 5 – 7 – 9 – 11 | C E G B D F | Dreamy, lush texture |
Shortcut:
11 = add the 4th (F) to a 9th chord.
9th
+
4th
=
11th
Thirteenth Chords
| C13 | 1 – 3 – 5 – ♭7 – 9 – 13 | C E G B♭ D A | Soul / jazz progression |
| Cmaj13 | 1 – 3 – 5 – 7 – 9 – 13 | C E G B D A | Rich orchestral chord |
| Cm13 | 1 – ♭3 – 5 – ♭7 – 9 – 13 | C E♭ G B♭ D A | Gospel, lo-fi, or chill vibe |
Shortcut:
13 = add the 6th (A) to a 9th or 11th chord.
9th/11th
+
6th
=
13th
Suspended (Sus) Chords
| Csus2 | 1 – 2 – 5 | C D G | Open, airy |
| Csus4 | 1 – 4 – 5 | C F G | Tension before resolving to C |
| C7sus4 | 1 – 4 – 5 – ♭7 | C F G B♭ | Gospel / bluesy flavor |
Shortcut:
"Sus" replaces the 3rd (E) with 2 (D) or 4 (F).
C
+
E
+
G
→
C
+
D/F
+
G
Slash Chords (Inversions / Bass Variations)
| C/E | C major with E in bass | LH: E, RH: C chord | Smooth upward motion |
| C/G | C major with G in bass | LH: G, RH: C chord | Fuller base sound |
| Am/G | A minor with G bass | LH: G, RH: Am | Emotional downward motion |
Shortcut:
Slash = "Chord / Bass" note → changes mood without new chord.
Chord
/
Bass
=
New Feel
Altered Chords (Advanced Jazz/Worship)
| C7#5 | 1 – 3 – #5 – ♭7 | C E G# B♭ | Sharp, jazzy tension |
| C7♭5 | 1 – 3 – ♭5 – ♭7 | C E G♭ B♭ | Bluesy edge |
| C7#9 | 1 – 3 – 5 – ♭7 – #9 | C E G B♭ D# | Hendrix chord, funk tension |
| C7♭9♭13 | 1 – 3 – 5 – ♭7 – ♭9 – ♭13 | C E G B♭ D♭ A♭ | Gospel passing chord |
| Cmaj7#11 | 1 – 3 – 5 – 7 – #11 | C E G B F# | Dreamy, ambient worship chord |
Shortcut:
"Altered" = modify 5 or 9 — think tension and drama.
Base
+
Altered
=
Tension
Bonus Tip: One-Line Rule
Every "bigger" chord = a smaller chord + extra color.
9 = 7 + 2
11 = 9 + 4
13 = 11 + 6
Simple
+
Color
=
Complex
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