Extended chords in Brazilian songs
Copyrighted materials: to view and download resources from this lesson, you’ll need to be in the UK and
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain what extended chords are and I have recorded chords in the style of a Brazilian popular song.
Key learning points
- An extended chord is a chord that includes more than three notes.
- A 7th chord includes a note that is the 7th note in the scale above the root note.
- A 6th chord includes a note that is the 6th note in the scale above the root note.
- Brazilian popular songs use extended chords to add colour and interest to the harmony.
Keywords
Triad chord - a triad chord is a chord that includes three notes (the root note, 3rd and 5th)
Extended chord - an extended chord is a chord that includes more than three different notes
7th chord - a 7th chord includes a note that is the 7th note in the scale above the root note
6th chord - a 6th chord includes a note that is the 6th note in the scale above the root note
Common misconception
There is only one note that can be added to create a seventh chord, and likewise for a sixth chord.
There are various different types of sixth and seventh chords, which have different rules about how to form them. Here we are just learning the general principle of forming extended chords.
Teacher tip
When creating chord tracks, pupils could create more interesting patterns. A pupil might create a broken chord pattern, playing the chord tones separately rather than all together. Encourage pupils not just to copy the rhythms in the slides. Where necessary a simplified rhythm could be suggested.
Equipment
A DAW or other suitable compositional tool or instrument
Licence
Sign in to continue
Our content remains 100% free, but to access certain copyrighted materials, you'll need to sign in. This ensures we’re both staying within the rules.
P.S. Signing in also gives you more ways to make the most of Oak like unit downloads!
