Sound 3, Sound 4: Sound 5, Sound 6: Flexibility and Limitations.

Sound 3, Sound 4, Sound 5, Sound 6: Flexibility and Limitations.

So these voicings have largely been used as a slash chord over bVII/I. There are 6 Sounds that fullfil this slash chord idea to produce extensions that start out as tonal and progress from S1 to S6 through to stronger colored extensions, or if you will: an increase in V7 harmonic pressure. There are possible implications of a system that I won't get into but it can be figured out with a look at how these 'Sounds' (S) become progressively colorful or urgent in their respective strength in terms of being compelling. There is a fundamental basis for this such as it is.

Using the example of G7, this is the proposed order from Tonal through Chromatic

S1: FS1 = FMa7(b5)............. so FS1/G = G13

S2: FS2 = FdimMa7............. so FS2/G = G13(b9)

S3: FS3 = F7(b5).................. so FS3/G = G9(b13)

S4: FS4 = Fmi7(b5).............. so FS4/G = G7(b9b13)

S5: FS5 = FMa7sus4(b5)...... so FS5 = G13(#9)

S6: FS6 = F7sus4(b5)............so FS6 + G7(#9#5) or (#9b13).





S1 through S6 in a comparative viewpoint of a tritone and the tritone slash/chord roots with information on similarities, inversion, scale/chord and other similarities or contrasts:

S6: S6 (7sus4[b5]) and S1(Ma7[b5])  in relation:

It can be seen that FS1 and BS6 have the same structure i.e the same notes respectively: (FABE) and (BEFA). The opposite view is also true: FS6 (FBbCbEb) i.e. (F7sus4[b5]) = BS1 (BD#FA#) i.e. (BMa7[b5]). They have a tritone relation. Notice that while G13 and Db7(#9b13) share the Same FS1 chord. The FS1 used in the Db chord (on the third above the Db root) makes it Db7(#9#5). If this 'F' Sound chord (FABE) is inverted to its 2nd inversion (BEFA) the 'root' position it can be seen as BS6/Db rather that FS1/Db. So there is a polarity going on there between tritone opposites. The FS6/BS1 line up the same way only with opposite roots.

S5: (Ma7sus4[b5]) when inverted to 2nd inversion, shares the same 7th chord quality with tritone opposite roots:

FS5 i.e. FMa7sus4(b5) when inverted to 2nd inversion creates the same quality, intervallic structure, and the same notes— a tritone away i.e. BMa7sus4(b5). On one hand we have a G13(#9) [FS5/G] and on the other we have a Db13(#9) [BS5/G]. It is significant to note that FS5 and BS5 share the same diminished scale (W—H) i.e F G Ab Bb Cb Db D E—B C# D E F G A A#....

S4: i.e. (mi7[b5]) is used on bVII to create a V7(b9b13):

Although FS4 and BS4 appear in the same Symmetrical DOMINANT (H—W) scale (over F7 or B7 [also Ab7 and D7]) but that doesn't apply here with S4 because when it is used as a bVII/I it creates chords that are consistent with the Symmetrical DIMINISHED scale but ARE consistent with the ALTERED Dominant scale, and the Harmonic Minor Dominant scale, i.e. this V7 chord will use a b13 and b9.

FS4 i.e. Fmi7(b5) shares a tritone with BS4. Both these sound chords have the same quality when placed over the appropriate root (bVIIS4/I) i.e. FS4/G = G7(b9b13) and BS4/Db = Db7(b9b13). In this case it's not particularly significant that Fmi7(b5) and Bmi7(b5) share the same Symmetrical Dominant scale as it doesn't apply in this case. The altered form of the scale is a chord scale that will respectively work well with each of these chords i.e. G7 Altered (mode VII of Ab Melodic minor) and Db altered as mode VII of D Melodic minor. In the graphic below note that FS4/Db = Db9 and that BS4/G = G9. So there are two opposites of color included in this case (as is S1 and S6).

S3: is a symmetrically inverted chord between root position and 2nd inversion:

For example, F7b5 when inverted to 2nd inversion results in a B7b5. At first look it looks like it might appear in the Symmetrical Dominant (H—W) and does, but it doesn't apply in this case. We are looking at G7 chords and Db7 chords. If S4 were to be used in a dominant scale/chord this way, the roots of the V7 chords would be F7, Ab7, B7, and D7. But, again as in S4, the chord created as a bVIIS3/I, using our examples: G9(b13) and if FS3 (F7(b5) is inverted to a B7(b5), as BS3/Db, the chord has the same quality on its tritone root (G): namely Db9(b13).

S2: has been laid out in the previous blog.

S2 is the most versatile 'Sound' chord in a way because it does reside in the Symmetrical Diminished scale at 4 evenly spaced minor 3rd intervals. FS2 then, can be over a G root = G13b9, a Bb root = Bb7(b9#11), a Db root = Db7#9, and an E root = E7b9. S2 also occurs in mode 4 of Harmonic Major (in C: CDEFGAbBC).

S1: Look at S6 and reverse the tritone opposites and the same situation occurs.

FS1 = BS6, and BS1 = FS6. When these are placed as a bVII/I, the resultant chords are the same.

FS1 (Fma7b5)/G = G13, BS6 (B7sus4(b5)/Db = Db(#9#5)....... the 'S' content of each chord contains the same notes: FS1 (FABE), and BS6 (BEFA). BS6 is the 2nd inversion of FS1.

FS6 (F7sus4[b5])/G = G7(#9#5), BS1 (BMa7b5)/Db = Db13.......The 'S' content of each chord contains the same notes: FS6 (FBbBEb), and BS1 (BD#FA#). FS6 is the 2nd inversion of BS1.

Here is an overview:

Sound 1 and Sound 2 (S1 and S2) in progression with bebop cliche

Sound 1 (S1) and Sound 2 (S2) in progression with an application of minor ii V's with the bebop cliche.

Now that 'The Sound' is established as to potential function and chord voicing in progression, a possible next step is to lay out Sound 2 (S2) more thoroughly using it along with S1 and also the bebop cliche in a minor ii V using S2. The symmetrical nature of S2 in minor 3rd sequences i.e. fitting into Symmetrical diminished (whole—half) scales that allow S2 to start on bVII, bII, III, and V notes of a given V7 chord.

The use of S2 with S1 in progression:

As indicated earlier, S2 is derived from S1 by lowering the '3rd' of S1 i.e using FMa7(b5) as an example. FMa7(b5) becomes FmiMa7(b5) [Let's call it a DimMa7)

When used as a bVIIS2/1 the chord created is G13(b9). So a first progression using S1 and S2 (or vice versa) results in a movement in the tension of the chord. Using FS1/G —FS2/G, the result is G13 G13(b9), an increase of vertical tension which may heighten the arrival of the next chord (the tonic).

One could also play: G13(b9)—G13, with movement towards less vertical tension in this chord voicing.

S1 — S2 is useful in a minor ii V as well and operates similarly  to the V13 — V13(b9) progression.

In this example FS1/B—FS2/E —CS1/A creates the minor ii V Imi progression: Bmi11(b5)—E7(b9)—Ami6/9. Note that in this progression there is no 7th in the E7 chord. The b7 is thought to be implied by the (b9) in that chord, as a b9 would not be harmonic with a Major 7th in this chord. Note that FS2 works over the Sub V (Bb) as well.







Since S2 is a resident chord in the Symmetrical whole—half Diminished scale, and indeed on it's own, can function as a Diminished 7th chord. This particular intervallic structure occurs a total of 4 times in this scale, and up a minor third for each one. These 4 different but related 'S2' chords can also be used as the S2 that is played on the bVII/I. This creates 4 varieties of extended dominant chords that all share the same scale and in this case, the same root. Using the example of FS2/G = G13(b9) [using a 'G' bass].

The other 3 S2s that share the same SymDim (whole-half) scale are a minor 3rd up or Major 6th down starting from FS2: They are: FS2, AbS2, BS2, DS2. NB these voicings can be voice-led as well. The illustrations below show that with all 4 S2 generated V7 chords, that the tritone substitute root can also be used to resolve to the tonic

Example 1) FS1/G—FS2/G—C [This one voice-leads naturally]

Chord Symbol——G13—————G13(b9)—C   

Function———— V13—————V13(b9)—C 

Sound/Root——— FMa7(b5)/G—FdimMa7/G—C 

S/Root————— FS1/G————FS2/G—C 

Numeral———— bVIIS1/I———bVIIS2/I—I

Example 2) FS1/G—AbS2/G—C

Chord Symbol——G13—————G7(b9)—C 

Function———— V13—————V7(b9)—C 

Sound/Root——— FMa7(b5)/G—AbdimMa7/G—C 

S/Root————— FS1/G————AbS2/G—C 

Numeral———— bVIIS1/I———bIIS2/I—I

Example 3) FS1/G—BS2/G—C

Chord Symbol——G13—————G7(#9)—C

Function———— V13—————V7(#9)—C

Sound/Root——— FMa7(b5)/G—BdimMa7/G—C

S/Root————— FS1/G————BS2/G—C

Numeral———— bVIIS1/I———IIIS2/I—I

Example 4) FS1/G—DS2/G—C

Chord Symbol——G13—————G7(b9#11)—C

Function———— V13—————V7(b9#11)—C

Sound/Root——— FMa7(b5)/G—DdimMa7/G—C

S/Root————— FS1/G————DS2/G—C

Numeral———— bVIIS1/I———bVS2/I—I

Example 5) S1 and S2 incorporated into a minor ii V Imi: FS1/B—FS2/E—CS1/A

Chord Symbol——Bmi11(b5)—— E7(b9)—Ami6/9

Function———— iimi11(b5)—— V13(b9)—Imi6/9

Sound/Root——— FMa7(b5)/B—FdimMa7/E—Ami6/9

S/Root————— FS1/B————FS2/E——Ami6/9

Numeral———— bVS1/I———bIIS2/I——Imi6/9

Example 6) S1 and S2 (all 4) incorporated into a minor iiV Imi. Each of these S2/V7 chord can be used individually but for demonstration purposes they are lumped into one minor ii V progression.

Chord Symbol——Bmi11(b5)—— E7(b9)—E7(#9)—E7(b9#11)—E13(b9)—A mi6/9 [or A major] 

Function———— iimi11(b5)—— V13(b9)—V7(#9)—V7(b9#11)—V13(b9—Imi6/9 [or I Major] 

Sound/Root—FMa7(b5)/B—FdimMa7/E—G#dimMa7/E—BdimMa7/E—DdimMa7/EA—Ami6/9 

S/Root————— FS1/B————FS2/E—G#S2/E—BS2/E—DS2/E———CS1/A [tonic] 

Numeral———— bVS1/I———bIIS2/I [V7etc]—IIIS2/I—VS2/I—bVIIS2/I—bIIIS1/I [tonic]

The Bebop Cliche with minor ii Vs:

Major ii Vs and the interpolation of the bebop cliche was outlined in the Sound in the first blog in this series. As a reminder:

Dmi9—DmiMa9—Dmi9—G13 (or G13[b9] or G7[#9#5] etc.)

FMa7/D—FMa7#5/D—FMa7/D— FMa7(b5)/G (or FdimMa7/G or BMa7[b5]/G etc.)

FPS1/D—FPPS1/D—FPS1/D——FS1/G ..... (or FS2/G or BS1/G etc. )

Minor ii Vs using iimi9(b5) and V13(b9)

Using FS2/G as the destination V7 chord a minor ii V (Dmi9[b5] — G13) can be treated similarly as in:

Dmi9(b5) (related iimi9/V7) called the Preparation of FS2.

DmiMa9(b5) (implies V7/related iimi9) called the Preparation of the Preparation of FS2.

As used in the above progression: ii V is expanded with the application of the Bebop Cliche.

Chord Symbol: ......Dmi9(b5)—DmiMa9(b5)—Dmi9(b5)—G13(b9) [or ?] — C minor or C major. 

Sound/1 (S)............FmiMa9/D—FmiMa9(#5)/D— FmiMa9/D—FdimMa7/G —EbMa7(b5)/C

S/Root.....................FPS2/D——FPPS2/D——— FPS2/D——FS2/G——— EbS1/C

Function.................bIIIPS2/I (ii)—bIIIPPS2/I (ii)— bIIIPS2/I (ii)—bVIIS2/I (V7)—bIIIS1/C..

The 'Sound' One (S1) voicing used in progression

The Sound One (S1) in chord progressions, used exclusively to create that jazz piano (or guitar, or arpeggiated for horns) sound:

I once ran a showcase band at MacEwan, and was getting into some arrangements that called for this S1 sound. I was working with a very interesting go-to-kind of guy on guitar in the band. He didn't know how to voice a G7(#9#5) chord per say, but he knew how to voice dominant 13 chords. So I asked him on the spot to play a Db13 chord / G bass and low and behold we had the asked for G7(#9#5) chord voicing. He was surprised but realized that basically, he already had voicings for altered dominant chords which were virtually the same as V13 chords a tritone away. I was prompted to tell him this, because I had been working this 'Sound' thing and that was an action that came out of that study. So why do this and not stick exclusively to the 'normal' extension replacement of 7th chord tones (9 for 1, 13 for 5 etc.)? Answer: Because with the 'Sound' there is a built in system for adding color and urgency in a 7th chord in an incremental way.

This blog will deal with S1 in progression in a parallel motion with not much voice leading. Inversions and voice leading will be an open topic in future blogs on this 'Sound' Topic. The change in color from V13 to V7(#5#9) represents the most radical change in color and vertical tension change possible in a V7. Future blogs on this topic will deal with the graduations of vertical (chord) tension between these two essentials. Primarily these voicings are thought of as Left Hand Comping (rootless) chord voicings, but they can be played as in the right hand too as part of a comping framework and, they can even be a point of departure/arrival in improvised soloing.

Just using the S1 chord (Ma7[b5]) for convenience, these C major and related A minor progressions emerge and are used here as a set of examples. These examples are played in the right hand with the appropriate root in the left hand.


Sample 1) V13 —V7(#9—I

Chord symbol  G13————G7(#9#5)——  I

Function           V13————V7(#9#5)——  I

Sound/Root      FMa7(b5)/G—BMa7(b5)/G—I

S1/Root            FS1/G———  BS1/G——     I

Numeral           bVIIS1/I——   IIIS1/(1)——  I


Sample 2) V13 —bII13 — I

Chord symbol  G13———— Db13———    I

Function           V13———— bII13———    I

Sound/Root      FMa7(b5)/G—BMa7(b5)/Db—I

S1/Root            FS1/G———  BS1/Db——   I

Numeral           bVIIS1/I——   bVIIS1/(1)—   I

Sample 3) V7(#9#5) — bII13 —I

Chord symbol   G7(#9#5) —— Db13 ——— I

Function           V7(#5#9)——   bII13———  I

Sound/Root     BMa7(b5)/G—BMa7(b5)/Db—I

S1/Root            BS1/G———    BS1/Db——  I

Numeral           IIIS1/I———— bVIIS1/(1)—  I

Sample 4)  iimi11(b5) — V7(#5#9)— Imi6/9 (NB The Sound is used in all three of these voicings.

Chord symbol   Bmi11(b5)———E7(#9#5) —Ami6/9

Function           iimi11(b5)———V7(#9#5) —Imi6/9

Sound/Root     FMa7(b5)/B—G#Ma7(b5)/E—Cma7(b5)/A

S1/Root            FS1/B———    G#S1/E——  CS1/A

Numeral           bVS1/I———— IIIS1/(1)—  bIIIS1/I

Sample 5)    iimi11(b5) — bII13— Imi6/9 (NB The Sound is used in all three of these voicings.

Chord symbol   Bmi11(b5)———Bb13— — Ami6/9

Function            iimi11(b5)———bII13 ——  Imi6/9

Sound/Root     FMa7(b5)/B—AbMa7(b5)/Bb—Cma7(b5)/A

S1/Root            FS1/B———    AbS1/Bb——  CS1/A

Numeral           bVS1/I———— bVIIS1/(1)—  bIIIS1/I

I like to learn these in all keys keeping track of voice-leading line movement and inversion to inversion through these progressions.

I experimented with these progressions by sometimes reversing the V7(#5#9) with bII7(#5#9) it does make a difference. I hope you'll try it