Topmusicanswers
In music, extended chords are certain chords (built from thirds) or triads with notes extended, or added, beyond the seventh. Ninth, eleventh, and thirteenth chords are extended chords. ... Chords extended beyond the seventh are rarely seen in the Baroque era, and are used more frequently in the Classical era.
How do extended chords work?
Extended chords are simply chords that have notes which extend further than the standard three note triad. They're formed by stacking thirds on top of the base triad. Extended chords provide another layer of sound above general major and minor triads.
What do chord extensions do?
Extended chords create a richer, more harmonically complex sound than basic major and minor triads. Chord extensions also provide more voice leading possibilities and make chord progressions sound more interesting. Extended chords have notes that extend further than a three-note triad and the octave.
What is the effect of extended chords?
Extended chords are chords which have extra notes – through adding thirds on top of the seventh, ninth, eleventh, thirteenth etc. Extended chords were frequently used by Claude Debussy. The effect of extended chords is a blurred sense of harmonic direction, which suited Impressionist music.
