Altered chords

Definition

Altered chords are chords that have had one or more of their tones changed to create tension and enhance harmonic complexity. These alterations often involve raising or lowering specific notes, such as the fifth, ninth, or eleventh, to produce a unique sound that adds emotional depth to a composition. In jazz, altered chords became particularly significant as musicians sought to push the boundaries of traditional harmony and create more innovative sounds.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Altered chords were popularized during the bebop era, allowing musicians to create more intricate and sophisticated harmonies.
2. Common alterations include raising or lowering the fifth (sharp or flat fifth) and changing the ninth (sharp or flat ninth), adding tension and color to the music.
3. These chords are often used as substitutes for traditional dominant chords, creating a sense of movement and expectation in jazz compositions.
4. Altered chords can also lead to complex melodic improvisation opportunities for soloists, expanding their expressive range.
5. Many key bebop musicians, like Charlie Parker and Thelonious Monk, frequently utilized altered chords in their compositions and improvisations, influencing later styles.

Review Questions

• How do altered chords contribute to the harmonic language of bebop musicians?
  • Altered chords significantly enhanced the harmonic language of bebop musicians by introducing tension and complexity that reflected the innovative spirit of the genre. Musicians like Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie utilized these chords to move away from traditional harmony, allowing them to create intricate melodies and unexpected resolutions. This emphasis on harmonic exploration set bebop apart from earlier jazz styles and influenced countless musicians who followed.
• Discuss the role of altered chords in shaping subsequent jazz styles after bebop.
  • After bebop, altered chords continued to play a crucial role in shaping various jazz styles, including modal jazz and free jazz. Musicians began experimenting with harmony even further, using altered chords not just for tension but as a foundation for improvisation and composition. As jazz evolved into these newer styles, the use of altered chords remained a staple that allowed artists to explore new musical ideas while maintaining ties to their bebop roots.
• Evaluate the impact of altered chords on the integration of jazz elements into rock music during the 1960s and 1970s.
  • The integration of altered chords into rock music during the 1960s and 1970s had a profound impact on the genre's development, as many rock musicians sought to incorporate jazz influences into their compositions. Artists like Frank Zappa and Steely Dan utilized altered chords to create complex arrangements that challenged traditional rock structures. This blending of genres not only enriched rock music's harmonic vocabulary but also opened up new avenues for improvisation and musical experimentation, showcasing how jazz elements could enhance the emotional depth of rock.

Related terms

Dominant seventh chord: A four-note chord consisting of a root, major third, perfect fifth, and minor seventh, often used in jazz as a basis for altered chords.

Extensions: Additional notes added to basic chords, such as ninths or elevenths, which can be altered to create variations in sound.

Dissonance: The quality of sounds that clash or create tension, often resolved by consonant chords; altered chords typically introduce dissonance into music.