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Ninth, Eleventh Thirteen, and Added-Note Chords

Reference Gauldin Chapter 35

In Classical and Romantic music, 9th, 11th and 13th chords are predominantly

treated as dissonant (suspensions, neighbours etc) as with the chordal 7th in seventh

chords.

As with jazz and popular music, the 7th is usually included where a 9th, 11th and

13th chord is indicated.

Dominant 9th chords

In the Schubert example below, two different dominant 9th chords are used

consecutively- a V9 and a Vb9. They are prepared by a suspension (Gauldin: 633).

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The Tchaikovskys Nutcracker, a V9 chord is used as a neighbour ^5- ^6- ^5

(Gauldin: 633-4).

Bach used the 9th as an appoggiatura via arpeggiation (Gauldin: 634).

Kuhlau uses the V9 chord as a part of a melodic harmonisation.

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Below, Wagner uses the V9 as a neighbour chord.

During the nineteenth century, dominant 9th chords were often extensively prolonged.

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Minor 9th chords

Ravel used minor 9th chords in a number of his slow movements, usually resolving

down by step (Gauldin: 637).

Dominant Eleventh Chords

Dominant eleventh chords are usually treated as suspensions (so the 3rd is omitted).

The 7th and 9th are usually included.

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Wagner resolves the suspended 11th in the example below.

Similar to common jazz practice, Greig does not always see the need to resolve the

suspension.

Dominant augmented 11ths or V#11 are not treated as suspensions. Consequently, the

3rd would be included eg. G-B-D-F-A-C#.

Major and Minor 11th chords

Major and Minor 11th chords, such as ii11 or Dm11 or I11 are usually complete See

Ravel and Young below).

Thirteenth Chords

Examples of thirteenth chords are given below. Note that the dominant forms of the

13th omit the 3rd.

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In the example below, Ravel uses both 11th and 13th chords.

In Victor Youngs Stella By Starlight, a popular jazz standard, the 11th and 13th

chords all resolve down by step.

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Added Notes: 6ths and 9ths

A 6th is often added to a major triad eg. C-E-G-A. Note the F6 chord in the Wagner

example below.

A 9th can also be added to a triad (no 7th is included in added chords). In the example

below, Mahler adds both a 6 and a 9 to a major triad.

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