How to Build Altered Chords: A Comprehensive Guide
Altered chords are a unique and powerful tool in the world of music, offering a wide range of emotional and harmonic possibilities. In this article, we will explore how to build altered chords, their origins, and their applications in various musical genres. By the end of this guide, you will have a solid understanding of altered chords and be able to incorporate them into your own compositions and improvisations.
To begin, let’s define what an altered chord is. An altered chord is a type of chord that features one or more altered tones, which are tones that have been raised or lowered by a half step. These altered tones can be found in the major, minor, dominant, and diminished seventh chords. By altering these tones, we can create new and interesting harmonies that can add depth and complexity to our music.
The process of building an altered chord starts with selecting a base chord. This can be any of the seven basic chords in the major or minor scales, such as C major, A minor, or E7. Once you have chosen your base chord, you can begin to alter its tones.
To alter a tone, you need to raise or lower it by a half step. For example, if you take the third tone of a C major chord (E), and lower it by a half step, you get the flattened third (Eb). Similarly, if you take the fifth tone of a C major chord (G) and raise it by a half step, you get the sharpened fifth (G).
Now that we know how to alter tones, let’s look at some common altered chord types:
1. Minor Altered Chord: This chord is formed by lowering the third tone of a minor chord by a half step. For example, in the key of C major, the C minor altered chord would be Cm7b5 (C minor with a flattened fifth).
2. Dominant Altered Chord: This chord is formed by altering the fifth, ninth, and thirteenth tones of a dominant seventh chord. For example, in the key of C major, the C dominant altered chord would be C79b13 (C dominant with a sharpened ninth and a flattened thirteenth).
3. Diminished Altered Chord: This chord is formed by lowering the third, fifth, and seventh tones of a diminished seventh chord by a half step. For example, in the key of C major, the C diminished altered chord would be Cdim7 (C diminished seventh).
To build an altered chord, simply apply the appropriate alterations to the base chord you have chosen. Remember that the key to success with altered chords is experimentation and exploration. Try different combinations of altered tones and see how they sound in various musical contexts.
In conclusion, building altered chords is a skill that can enhance your musical palette and add a unique flavor to your compositions and improvisations. By understanding the process of altering tones and experimenting with different chord types, you can unlock a world of harmonic possibilities. So, go ahead and start exploring the world of altered chords, and let your music soar to new heights!
