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Chapter 8 - Altered Chords and Arpeggios

guitar lesson 1
FORMULAS

Each group can contain an ALTERED version of a chord or an arpeggio. An altered chord or arpeggio contains a note that does not fit any of the seven modes, such as a sharp five. An altered chord or arpeggio creates more tension than an unaltered one.

The chart below contains some popular altered chord and arpeggio formulas.

Name Formula Most important degrees Group Relative modes

Augmented 1, 3, #5 1, 3, #5 altered major altered 1, 4, 5

Augmented 7th. 1, 3, #5, b7 3, #5, b7 alt. dominant alt. 1, 4, 5

Diminished 7 1, b3, b5, bb7 1, b3, b5, bb7 alt. dominant alt. 2, 4, 6, 7

Dominant 7 flat 5 1, 3, b5, b7 3, b5, b7 alt. dominant alt. 1, 4, 5

Major 7 flat 5 1, 3, b5, 7 3, b5, 7 altered major altered. 1, 4, 5

Minor/major 7th. 1, b3, 5, 7 1, b3, 7 altered minor altered 2, 4, 6

The next few pages contain an illustrated example of these chords and arpeggios. The examples contain only a few possible ways to play these chords and arpeggios. Try to figure out some other ways to play them. There are also chords not listed in the chart above. Try to figure out a few on your own.

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Name	Formula	Most important degrees	Group	Relative modes
Augmented	1, 3, #5	1, 3, #5	altered major	altered 1, 4, 5
Augmented 7th.	1, 3, #5, b7	3, #5, b7	alt. dominant	alt. 1, 4, 5
Diminished 7	1, b3, b5, bb7	1, b3, b5, bb7	alt. dominant	alt. 2, 4, 6, 7
Dominant 7 flat 5	1, 3, b5, b7	3, b5, b7	alt. dominant	alt. 1, 4, 5
Major 7 flat 5	1, 3, b5, 7	3, b5, 7	altered major	altered. 1, 4, 5
Minor/major 7th.	1, b3, 5, 7	1, b3, 7	altered minor	altered 2, 4, 6

	Guitar Players: Chet Atkins, Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, John Lee Hooker, Robert Johnson, BB King, Wes Montgomery, Gary Moore, Jimmy Page, Django Reinhardt, Carlos Santana, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Other Guitarist.		Guitar Strings: D'Addario Strings, Dean Markley Strings, Elixir Guitar Strings, Ernie Ball Strings, Fender Guitar Strings, GHS Guitar Strings, Gibson Guitar Strings, DR Guitar Strings, Martin Guitar Strings, Rogue Guitar Strings.

	Guitars for Sale: Acoustic Guitars, Bass Guitars, BC Rich, Classical Guitars, Cordoba Guitars, Dean Guitars, Electric Guitars, Epiphone Guitars, ESP Guitars, Fender Guitars, Gibson Guitars, Hamer Guitars, Ibanez Guitars, Jackson Guitars, Jose Ramirez, Martin Guitars, Ovation Guitars, PRS Guitars, Schecter Guitars, Steel Guitars, Takamine Guitar, Vintage Guitars, Washburn Guitars, Yamaha Guitars.		Guitar Amps, Effects & More: Analog Delay, Boss Effect Pedals, Chorus Effects, Crate Amps, Digitech, Distortion Pedals, DOD Effects, Guitar Picks, Flanger, Marshall Amps, Maxon, Randall Amps, Reverb, Rocktek, Tube Works, Digital Recorders.