When a dominant chord is played with a series of other chords like:
I, vi, ii , V7 in the key of C major: C maj //// Am //// Dm //// G7 ////
this is a functioning dominant seventh. Usually just for one measure or less.
The natural tension tones for G dominant seventh are: G7, G9, G11, G13.
G7 = R, 3, 5, b7 = G, B, D, F
G9 = R, 3, 5, b7, 9 = G, B, D, F, A
G11 = R, 3, 5, b7, 9, 11, = G, B, D, F, A, C
G13 = R, 3, 5, b7, 9, 11, 13 = G, B, D, F, A, C, E
When the dominant seventh is played for many measures it is non-functioning.
You can chose to use the natural tensions or altered tensions.
An altered tension means to sharp or flat the 5th or the 9th degree of the dominant chord.
G7b5 = R, 3, b5, b7 = G, B, Db, Bb
G7#5 = R, 3, #5, b7 = G, B, D#, Bb
G9b5 = R, 3, b5, b7, 9 = G, B, Db, Bb, A
G9#5 = R, 3, #5, b7, 9 = G, B, D#, Bb, A
G11b5 = R, 3, b5, b7, 9, 11 = G, B, Db, Bb, A, C
G11#5 = R, 3, #5, b7, 9, 11 = G, B, D#, Bb, A, C
G13b5 = R, 3, b5, b7, 9,11,13 = G, B, Db, Bb, A, C, E
G13#5 = R, 3, #5, b7, 9,11,13 = G, B, D#, Bb, A, C, E
G7b9 = R, 3, 5, b7, b9
G7#9 = R, 3, 5, b7, #9
G11b9 = R, 3, 5, b7, b9,11
G11#9 = R, 3, 5, b7, #9, 11
G13b9 = R, 3, 5, b7, b9,11,13
G13#9 = R, 3, 5, b7, #9, 11,13
Assignment record the following progressions then substitute functioning and non-functioning dominate seventh chords.
Original = C maj //// Am //// Dm //// G7 ////
Substitute = C maj //// Am //// Dm //// G9 ////
Original = C maj //// Em //// F maj //// G7 ////
Substitute = C maj //// Em //// F maj //// G7b5 ////
Original = Dm //// G7 //// C maj //// Am7 ////
Substitute = Dm //// G9#5 //// C maj //// Am9 ////
You can also use any diatonic substations from the family of chords (see archives - Diatonic Substitutions - Part 1 and 2). I used this here by replacing the A minor seventh with a A minor ninth.
Original = Em //// Am //// Dm //// G7 //// C maj 7 ////
Substitute = Em //// Am //// Dm //// G13 // G7#5 // C maj 9 ////
Original = F maj //// G maj //// Am //// G maj //// F maj //// G maj //// Am ////
Substitute = F maj //// G maj/9 //// Am //// G9#5 //// F maj7 //// G7 //// C/G ////
Also you can use the slash chords see: Slash Chords (five lessons previous).
Vince Lauria Sun and Earth MusicNow transpose these to each position (register) of your instrument, then to all 15 keys.All materials copyright 2010. For personal use only.
