Extended and Suspended Chords on Guitar: 9, 11, 13 and Sus Chords

Extended Chords: Sevenths, Ninths, Elevenths, Thirteenths, and Sus2 & Sus4 Chords

Extended chords are a powerful tool to add more color and depth to your progressions. Moving beyond simple triads (three-note chords), extended chords incorporate additional notes that enrich the sound. In this guide, we’ll explore how seventh, ninth, eleventh, and thirteenth chords work and how to use them in your compositions. We’ll also cover suspended chords (sus2 and sus4) and how they bring a unique harmonic suspension to your music.

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Extended Chords

Extended chords are built by adding extra notes to the basic major or minor triad. These include the seventh, ninth, eleventh, and thirteenth notes, creating complex sounds ideal for jazz, rock, pop, and many other genres.

1. Seventh Chords

Adding the seventh to a chord is the first step in extending it. This is done by adding the seventh note from the scale to the triad.

• Major seventh chord (Maj7): Consists of a major triad with a major seventh.

  • Example in C: C - E - G - B
  • Sound: Smooth and relaxed.
  • Song example: “Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac.

• Minor seventh chord (m7): Consists of a minor triad with a minor seventh.

  • Example in Cm: C - Eb - G - Bb
  • Sound: Sad and deep.
  • Song example: “Ain’t No Sunshine” by Bill Withers.

• Dominant seventh chord (7): Consists of a major triad with a minor seventh.

  • Example in C7: C - E - G - Bb
  • Sound: Tense, with a sense of resolution.
  • Song example: “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd.

2. Ninth Chords

Ninth chords add the ninth note (or the second note in the next octave) to a seventh chord.

• Major ninth chord (Maj9): Adds the ninth to a major seventh chord.

  • Example in C Maj9: C - E - G - B - D
  • Sound: Soft and jazzy.
  • Song example: “Watermelon Man” by Herbie Hancock.

• Minor ninth chord (m9): Adds the ninth to a minor seventh chord.

  • Example in Cm9: C - Eb - G - Bb - D
  • Sound: Melancholic and enveloping.
  • Song example: “Maiden Voyage” by Herbie Hancock.

• Dominant ninth chord (9): Adds the ninth to a dominant seventh chord.

  • Example in C9: C - E - G - Bb - D
  • Sound: Tense and sophisticated.
  • Song example: “The Thrill Is Gone” by B.B. King.

3. Eleventh Chords

Eleventh chords add the eleventh (or fourth) to a chord, lending a modern, airy quality.

• Suspended eleventh chord (sus4): Adds the fourth to a chord without the third.

  • Example in Csus4: C - F - G
  • Sound: Open and suspended.
  • Song example: “Pinball Wizard” by The Who.

• Dominant eleventh chord (11): Adds the eleventh to a dominant seventh chord.

  • Example in C11: C - E - G - Bb - F
  • Sound: Mystical and expansive.
  • Song example: “Footprints” by Wayne Shorter.

4. Thirteenth Chords

Thirteenth chords add the thirteenth (or sixth an octave up) to a chord, creating a rich, full sound.

• Major thirteenth chord (Maj13): Includes a major triad with a seventh and thirteenth.

  • Example in C Maj13: C - E - G - B - D - A
  • Sound: Complete and sophisticated.
  • Song example: “So What” by Miles Davis.

• Dominant thirteenth chord (13): Adds the seventh and thirteenth to a dominant chord.

  • Example in C13: C - E - G - Bb - D - A
  • Sound: Complex and warm.
  • Song example: “Georgia on My Mind” by Ray Charles.

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Suspended Chords (Sus2 and Sus4)

Suspended chords replace the third with either the second or fourth note. These chords create a sense of suspension, as though they’re “waiting” to resolve.

Sus2 Chord

The sus2 chord replaces the third with the second note from the scale.

• Example in Csus2: C - D - G
• Sound: Light and open.
• Song example: “Every Breath You Take” by The Police.

Sus4 Chord

The sus4 chord replaces the third with the fourth note from the scale.

• Example in Csus4: C - F - G
• Sound: Powerful and tense.
• Song example: “Pinball Wizard” by The Who.

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Tips for Using Extended and Suspended Chords

1. Experiment with Tension and Resolution: Seventh and dominant chords create tension, while major and minor chords offer resolution. Use this balance to shape your progression.

2. Use Ninths and Elevenths for Color: Ninth and eleventh chords add a jazzy texture without overwhelming the progression.

3. Add Sus Chords for Suspension: Sus2 and sus4 chords are great for building suspense before resolving to a main chord.

4. Incorporate Thirteenth Chords for Complexity: In advanced progressions, thirteenth chords bring a warm, sophisticated atmosphere, perfect for jazz and progressive music.

5. Listen to Examples in Songs: Identifying these chords in popular songs can help you understand how and where to use them in your own compositions.

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Conclusion

Extended and suspended chords open up a world of possibilities to enrich your progressions and add depth to your music. Explore sevenths, ninths, elevenths, thirteenths, and sus chords to discover new ways of expressing emotion and dynamism in your compositions. Experiment, and let these chords transform your music!