Altered chord tones

Definition

Altered chord tones are notes within a chord that have been modified from their original form, typically to create tension or add color in a musical context. These alterations often include raised or lowered fifths and ninths and are especially prominent in jazz styles like bebop, where musicians frequently use them to enhance harmonic complexity and expressiveness in their improvisations.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Altered chord tones are commonly used in bebop to create a sense of movement and surprise in improvisation.
2. Jazz musicians often alter chord tones to introduce chromaticism, which adds complexity and sophistication to their solos.
3. These tones are typically applied over dominant chords, where alterations such as raised ninths or flattened fifths can lead to effective resolutions.
4. In bebop, altered chords are integral to the harmonic language, allowing musicians to navigate through complex changes with ease.
5. Composers like Charlie Parker and Thelonious Monk frequently utilized altered chord tones to define their unique sounds and push the boundaries of traditional harmony.

Review Questions

• How do altered chord tones contribute to the improvisational style of bebop musicians?
  • Altered chord tones add harmonic richness and tension that bebop musicians use to create more engaging improvisations. By incorporating raised or lowered notes within chords, they can craft solos that flow over complex chord changes. This approach allows them to express creativity while maintaining the underlying structure of the music.
• Discuss the role of altered chord tones in enhancing harmonic complexity within jazz compositions.
  • Altered chord tones play a critical role in enhancing harmonic complexity by introducing dissonance that demands resolution. In jazz compositions, particularly in bebop, these alterations provide unique color and texture, enriching the overall sound. This complexity not only captivates listeners but also challenges musicians to explore new melodic possibilities as they navigate through intricate progressions.
• Evaluate how the use of altered chord tones reflects the broader innovations in bebop compared to earlier jazz styles.
  • The use of altered chord tones marks a significant innovation in bebop compared to earlier jazz styles like swing or Dixieland. Bebop musicians sought greater artistic expression and complexity, moving away from simpler harmonies. Altered tones allowed them to experiment with unexpected sounds and textures, pushing the boundaries of traditional harmonic structures. This shift not only defined bebop but also laid the groundwork for modern jazz's evolution, showcasing a more sophisticated understanding of harmony and improvisation.

Related terms

Diminished chord: A chord made up of a root note, a minor third, and a diminished fifth, often used in jazz for its tension and resolution qualities.

Extensions: Notes added to a basic chord structure, typically the ninth, eleventh, and thirteenth, which can be altered to create richer harmonic textures.

Tension and release: A fundamental principle in music that describes how tension created by dissonance is resolved by consonance, essential in the bebop style.