Session 1:

  • Why comprehension is better than memorization 

  • “Extensions” definition 

  • Where 9, 11, 13 come from

  • What a “big number” means in a chord symbol

  • What a Maj9 chord is

  • What a 9 chord is

  • Cumulative extensions in chord symbols

  • What “add” means in a chord symbol

  • Why “add” chords are great for learning the extensions

  • The quick way to figure out the 9, 11, and 13 notes


Session 2:

  • add9, add11, add13 (or 6) chords

  • Variations on the extensions (#9, b9, #11, b13)

  • Why the variations are often non-diatonic

  • Recap of Roman Numerals 

  • Adding extensions to triads

  • Diatonic triad exercise for 9ths

  • Diatonic triad exercise for 11ths

  • Diatonic triad exercise for 13ths


Session 3:

  • Adding the altered extensions (#11, b9, etc.) to triads

  • Deciphering the chord symbols

  • Deciding which notes to include (and not include) in a big chord

  • #5 chords