Upper Structure Triads The upper extensions of chords often form a triad: for example the 9th, #11th and 13th on a C7 chord form a D triad (D, F#, A): this triad is known as *upperstructure 2* because it is a major second above the root of the chord. Knowing which triads give a certain combination of extensions can be a short-cut to visualizing more complicated chords. The folowing upper structures on dominant chords should be learned in all keys, along with the name of the scale from which they they are derived. U.S. is short for upper structure, and the number number always refers to the interval between the root of the triad and the root of the chord symbol. The upper structure triads are ar e shownin the treble clef above a root position C7 chords. Notice that U.S. 6 and b6 each containone note which is already in the basic chord this is common with upper structure triads.
U.S. 2=13(#11)
U.S. 6=13(b9)
U.S. b6=Alt.
a major triad built a major second above the root
a major triad built a major sixth above the root
U.S. b6=Alt. a major triad built a minor sixth above the root
& #ww ? bww
& #ww ? bww
{
Comes from the lydian dominant scale
&nbbww ? bww
{
alternate symbol: D/ D/C7
{
Comes from the half/whole diminished scale
Comes from the altered scale
alternate symbol: A/C7
alternate symbol: Ab/C7
1.) Identify the following chords with a chord symbol and indicate which upper structure is used:
& ww ? bbww
{
bww #nww
#ww nww
nww bbbww
bb ww nbww
2.) Give an alternate chord symbol for the following:
E7alt _____
Ab13(b9) _____
B13(#11) _____
A7(#9,b13) _____
G/F7 _____
C/Eb7 _____
Db/F7 _____
E/G7 _____
3.) What scale would you use on the following chords? G13(b9) _____
