Chromatic Harmony: Adding 7ths & Extensions to Progressions | Music Theory Guide
Advanced Chromatic Harmony: Adding 7ths & Extensions to Progressions
Key Concepts in Chromatic Harmony
In this lesson, we explore how to enhance simple chromatic harmony progressions using seventh chords and extensions. The focus is on the fundamental progression: I - V/II - II - V - I, demonstrating how to add complexity while maintaining harmonic integrity.
Notation Example Included In Video:
You can download these examples as a PDF Here:
Chromatic Harmony: Adding 7ths & Extensions to Progressions
This is in our Basic Chromatic Harmony Course if you'd like to see even more examples.
Understanding Progression vs. Chord Complexity
A crucial distinction in chromatic harmony is understanding the difference between:
- Progression complexity (the harmonic movement)
- Chord complexity (the internal structure of each chord)
Key Insight: Adding extensions to chords increases their complexity but doesn't change the underlying progression structure.
Advanced Harmonic Techniques Covered
- Secondary dominant variations with 9ths (regular and flat 9)
- Voice leading techniques for smooth progressions
- Walking bassline applications
- Extension combinations (7ths, 9ths, 13ths)
- Proper notation of altered tones
Practical Applications
The lesson demonstrates several practical examples of how to apply these concepts:
- Using sharp 5 alterations in dominant chords
- Implementing 13th extensions
- Applying flat 9 variations in secondary dominants
- Creating smooth voice leading with extended harmonies
Essential Tips for Musicians
- Master basic progressions before adding extensions
- Practice each variation slowly to understand the voice leading
- Pay attention to proper spelling of altered tones
- Experiment with different combinations of extensions
Advanced Chord Variations
The lesson covers multiple ways to enhance the basic I - V/II - II - V - I progression:
- Adding seventh chords for richer harmony
- Incorporating ninth extensions
- Using augmented variations (sharp 5)
- Implementing thirteenth extensions
Important Note for Students
Before diving into these advanced concepts, ensure you have a solid understanding of basic chord progressions. The complexity lies in the chord structures, not in the progression itself.
Further Study Resources
To supplement this lesson we recommend our Basic Chromatic Harmony Course:
- 150 detailed examples of chromatic harmony
- Comprehensive coverage of secondary dominants
- Extended harmony applications
- Voice leading examples
