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Major confusion torment

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(@sapho)
Estimable Member
Joined: 20 years ago
Posts: 133
Topic starter  

Here I go again asking an elementary question.....

What is the difference between

Ab(add9)
Ab(maj9)

This throws me so often.

When a distinction is made that a note is Major as opposed to what?
Isn't it assumed to be always Major if not stated otherwise?

I'd know if it's minor - m.
I know if it's augmented or add - +. Yes augmented is a totally different concept than major.

So why the distinction that it's Major?

apologies for the elementary-ness. I know there's lots of books and charts but please guide my brain......cause it's blacked out.

Portamento - The ability to move from a wrong note to the right one without anyone noticing the original mistake.
Harmonics - The buzzing sound that string instruments make.
Impromptu - A carefully worked out composition.


   
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(@sapho)
Estimable Member
Joined: 20 years ago
Posts: 133
Topic starter  

Many thanks Neztok for the clarification.

Maybe the 'add 9' concept isn't so far from the major and minor 7ths after all.

I'm working on a song with a lot of Ab variations so it helps to understand the Ab in all it's manifestations.

Ab(add9)
Ab7
Ab7/Bb
Ab/C
Ab/G
Ab(maj9)
Abm7
A
Ab

I like to see it all charted out first before I play it or else I'll poke around with it forever getting tired out too soon trying to fit it right.

do you know it? Over the Rainbow - the Eva Cassidy version?
I'm trying to match the chords to the tab and hopefully I'll see it better and it'll click.

I've been playing it in my arpeggio style but as usual it sounds too busy.
I prefer Eva's minimalist version better.
Or whatever it's called when only some of the chord notes are played. ??

Peace!

Portamento - The ability to move from a wrong note to the right one without anyone noticing the original mistake.
Harmonics - The buzzing sound that string instruments make.
Impromptu - A carefully worked out composition.


   
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(@musenfreund)
Illustrious Member
Joined: 22 years ago
Posts: 5108
 

This is a good reference: Howard's Guide to Chord Formation. This is also very helpful: Howard's Chord Construction Reference Table.

Well we all shine on--like the moon and the stars and the sun.
-- John Lennon


   
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(@sapho)
Estimable Member
Joined: 20 years ago
Posts: 133
Topic starter  

a million thanks to neztok and musenfreund!!! very helpful!

Portamento - The ability to move from a wrong note to the right one without anyone noticing the original mistake.
Harmonics - The buzzing sound that string instruments make.
Impromptu - A carefully worked out composition.


   
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(@hbriem)
Honorable Member
Joined: 22 years ago
Posts: 646
 

Here's a table I whipped up:

Chord Notes(degree) Notes(C root)
---------------------------------------------------
major 1 3 5 C E G
6 1 3 5 6 C E G A
7 (dom7) 1 3 5 b7 C E G Bb
maj7 (M7) 1 3 5 7 C E G B
9 1 3 5 b7 9 C E G Bb D
maj9 (M9) 1 3 5 7 9 C E G B D
11 1 3 5 b7 (9) 11 C E G Bb F # extremely rare
maj11 1 3 5 7 (9) 11 C E G B F # extremely rare
add11 1 3 5 11 C E G F
13 1 3 5 b7 (9 11) 13 C E G Bb A
add9 1 3 5 9 C E G D
sus2 (2) 1 2 5 C D G
sus4 (sus) 1 4 5 C F G
sus#4 1 #4 5 C F# G
sus7 1 4 5 b7 C F G Bb
5 1 5 C G
aug 1 3 #5 C Eb G#
6/9 1 3 5 6 9 C E G A D
minor (m) 1 b3 5 C Eb G
min7 (m7) 1 b3 5 b7 C Eb G Bb
min9 (m9) 1 b3 5 b7 9 C Eb G Bb D
min11 1 b3 5 b7 (9) 11 C Eb G Bb F
minmaj7 1 b3 5 7 C Eb G B
dim (°) 1 b3 b5 C Eb Gb
dim7 1 b3 b5 bb7 C Eb Gb A
min7b5 1 b3 b5 b7 C Eb Gb Bb

--
Helgi Briem
hbriem AT gmail DOT com


   
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