Mastering the Altered Dominant (7alt) Chord: A Comprehensive Guide

What is an Altered Dominant (7alt) Chord?

The altered dominant, commonly notated as 7alt, is a sophisticated dominant 7th chord that incorporates one or more altered extensions (b9, #9, b5, #5) to create maximum harmonic tension. This chord is a staple in jazz harmony and appears frequently in classical and contemporary music when composers want to intensify the resolution to the tonic.

Historical Context and Musical Significance

The altered dominant emerged prominently during the bebop era (1940s) as jazz musicians like Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie sought more dissonant, colorful sounds. The chord's tension-filled quality makes it perfect for:

• Creating dramatic resolutions in classical cadences
• Adding chromatic interest in jazz standards
• Intensifying rock/pop progressions

Technical Construction

Chord Formula

The basic altered dominant formula builds on a dominant 7th chord (1-3-5-b7) with alterations:

• Root: Foundation tone (e.g., G in G7alt)
• 3rd: Major 3rd (defines dominant quality)
• b7: Minor 7th (essential for dominant sound)
• Alterations: b5/#5 and/or b9/#9

Common Voicings

Piano (left hand): G-B-F-Ab (root-3rd-b7-b9)
Guitar: 3x344x (F-B-Eb-Ab, using tritone substitution)

Practical Applications

Jazz Progressions

II-V-I with altered dominant:
Dm7 | G7alt | CMaj7

Classical Usage

Chopin's Prelude in E Minor uses altered dominants to heighten emotional impact before resolving to minor tonic chords.

Progressive Exercises

Level 1: Identification

Play C7, then C7alt - notice the added tension from alterations.

Level 2: Voice Leading

Resolve G7alt (G-B-F-Ab) to CMaj7 (C-E-G-B) with smooth motion.

Level 3: Improvisation

Use G altered scale (G-Ab-Bb-B-Db-Eb-F) over G7alt chords.

Genre Examples

• Jazz: Coltrane's Giant Steps (rapid altered dominants)
• Rock: Muse uses altered dominants for dramatic effect
• Film Music: Hans Zimmer's tense harmonic moments

Historical Context and Musical Significance

The altered dominant chord emerged during the late Romantic period as composers like Wagner and Debussy pushed harmonic boundaries. Its significance skyrocketed in the bebop era (1940s-50s) when jazz musicians like Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie exploited its tension-resolution properties to create chromatic fluidity. The 7alt chord represents the culmination of dominant chord evolution - where every non-essential tone (9th, 11th, 13th) is altered to maximize harmonic tension before resolution.

Musically, the chord serves two critical functions: it creates maximum dissonance against tonic resolution points (V-I cadences), and enables smooth voice leading in modulations. The altered extensions (b9, #9, #11, b13) provide all possible chromatic approaches to tonic chord tones. This harmonic intensity made it indispensable in jazz harmony, film scoring (Bernard Herrmann's Psycho shower scene), and progressive rock (King Crimson's 21st Century Schizoid Man).

Progressive Exercises

Beginner

Practice shell voicings with altered tensions:

• RH: E♭+B♭ (3rd+b7) | LH: G (root)
• Add one alteration: RH: E♭+B♭+C♯ (3rd+b7+#9)

Voice leading drill: Resolve G7alt (G-B-F-A♭) to Cmaj7 (C-E-G-B) with A♭→G (b9→5th)

Intermediate

Cycle of fifths progression with alterations:

• | Dm7 | G7♭9♯11 | Cmaj7 | F♯7♭13 |
• | Bm7 | E7♯9 | Amaj7 | A♭7alt |

Transposition exercise: Play ii-V-I in all keys using 4-nave altered voicings (e.g., G7alt: F-A♭-B-D♯)

Advanced

Reharmonization challenge:

• Take standard Autumn Leaves progression
• Replace all V7 chords with appropriate altered variants
• Improvise using altered scale (G7alt: G-A♭-B♭-B♯-D♭-E♭-F)

Rhythmic displacement: Apply altered dominants in 3/4 vs. 5/4 time signatures

Ear Training Tips

Develop recognition through targeted drills:

• Interval Identification: Isolate altered tensions (b9 = minor 2nd, ♯9 = minor 3rd, ♭13 = minor 6th)
• Chord Quality Comparison: Contrast G7 vs. G7♭9 vs. G7♯9. Note how alterations increase dissonance
• Resolution Recognition: Practice identifying V7alt → I cadences in jazz standards (e.g., Moment's Notice by Coltrane)
• Transcription Exercise: Transcribe McCoy Tyner's solo on "A Love Supreme" focusing on altered dominant usage

Use apps like EarMaster for customized drills: Set chord progression "ii - V7alt - I" with randomized alterations. Start with slow tempos (60bpm) increasing to 200bpm.

Common Usage in Different Genres

Jazz

Primary tension builder in ii-V-I progressions. Herbie Hancock's "Maiden Voyage" uses F7alt (E♭-G-A-D) for modal ambiguity. Bebop players employ altered dominants for chromatic passing chords.

Fusion

Extended alterations as tonal centers. Chick Corea's "Spain" features D7♯9♭13 as primary harmony. Often voiced with quartal harmony (C-F-B-E for G7alt).

Film Scoring

Dramatic tension in horror/suspense. Hans Zimmer's "Joker Theme" uses B♭7alt with low brass clusters. Typically resolves deceptively to vi instead of I.

Progressive Rock

Rhythmic displacement tool. Dream Theater's "The Dance of Eternity" features E7♭9 in 19/16 time. Often paired with synth textures.

Neo-Soul

Extended altered voicings in upper structures. Robert Glasper's "Black Radio" uses G7(♯9♭13) as Fm/A♭ polychord. Frequently appears in turnarounds.

Online Resources

• Jazz at Lincoln Center's "Jazz Academy" YouTube series (altered dominant masterclasses)
• OpenMusicTheory.com - Altered Dominant Chapter (interactive exercises)
• JazzAdvice.com - "Ultimate Guide to Altered Dominants" (practice routines)

Academic Studies

• "The Evolution of Dominant Harmony in Jazz" - Journal of Jazz Studies Vol. 12
• "Altered Dominants in Post-Tonal Theory" - Music Theory Spectrum 2020

### Historical Context and Musical Significance Altered dominant chords emerged in the late 19th century as composers like Scriabin and Debussy expanded harmonic language. Jazz musicians in the bebop era (1940s-50s) fully exploited their tension-resolution potential, with pianists like Bud Powell and trumpeters like Dizzy Gillespie using 7alt chords to create chromatic intensity before resolving to tonic chords. These chords are essential in functional harmony because they heighten dissonance through alterations like ♭9, ♯9, ♭5, or ♯5, forcing resolution to stable harmonies. For example, a G7♯9 chord (G-B-D-F-A♯) creates a jarring semitone clash between B and A♯ that demands release to C major. This harmonic tension became foundational in jazz standards like John Coltrane’s "Giant Steps," where altered dominants propel rapid key changes. --- ### Progressive Exercises #### Beginner: Triad Integration Practice voice-leading by resolving altered tones chromatically. Over a ii-V-I in C major: - Play Dm7 (D-F-A-C) → G7alt (G-B-F-A♭) → Cmaj7 (C-E-G-B) - Focus on moving A♭ (♭13) down to G in Cmaj7. Use root-position chords at 60 BPM. #### Intermediate: Scale Application Use the altered scale (7th mode of melodic minor) over G7alt: - Scale: G-A♭-B♭-B♮-D♭-E♭-F - Improvise 2-bar phrases resolving to Cmaj7. Target altered tones (e.g., E♭ as ♯9) on strong beats. #### Advanced: Reharmonization Substitute diatonic dominants with altered chords in standards: - Original: | Cmaj7 | Am7 | Dm7 | G7 | - Altered: | Cmaj7 | A♭7♯9 (tritone sub) | Dm7 | G7♭5♭9 | - Analyze voice-leading: A♭7♯9’s C (♯9) resolves down to Dm7’s D. --- ### Ear Training Tips 1. **Interval Recognition**: Isolate altered extensions: - Play G7 → G7♭9: Notice the ♭9 (A♭) creates a minor 9th clash with G. - Compare G7♯5 (B-D♯) vs. G7♭5 (B-D♭) – the ♯5 sounds brighter, ♭5 darker. 2. **Chord Progression Drills**: Use apps like "EarMaster" or "iReal Pro" to practice identifying altered dominants in ii-V-I progressions. Start with slow tempos (50 BPM), focusing on the "pull" toward resolution. 3. **Transcription**: Study Miles Davis’ "All Blues" solo (1959). At 1:45, he implies G7♯9 over a blues progression – train your ear to detect the ♯9’s metallic edge. --- ### Common Usage in Different Genres - **Jazz**: Altered dominants drive bebop (e.g., Parker’s "Confirmation") and modal jazz. Herbie Hancock uses F7♭9 in "Maiden Voyage" for mysterious tension. - **Fusion**: In Chick Corea’s "Spain," E7alt (E-G♯-B-D-G) introduces flamenco-inspired ♭9 tension before resolving to A minor. - **Film Scoring**: Bernard Herrmann’s "Psycho" shower scene uses stabbing A7♯9 chords for dissonant horror. - **R&B/Funk**: Stevie Wonder’s "Superstition" employs E♭7♯9 (E♭-G-B♭-D♭-G♭) for bluesy grit. - **Classical**: In Ravel’s "Le Gibet" (Gaspard de la Nuit), B7♭9/♭13 evokes eerie stillness through unresolved alteration. --- #### Books - Mark Levine, *The Jazz Theory Book* (1995): Altered scale applications (Chapter 5). - Dariusz Terefenko, *Jazz Theory: From Basic to Advanced Study*: Dominant alterations (Chapter 9). #### Recordings - Miles Davis, *Kind of Blue*: "Freddie Freeloader" – Wynton Kelly’s altered comping. - McCoy Tyner, *The Real McCoy*: "Passion Dance" – quartal voicings over altered harmony. #### Online Resources - [Jazz Advice: Altered Dominant Primer](https://www.jazzadvice.com/lessons/mastering-altered-dominants/) - [OpenMusicTheory: Altered Chords](https://openmusictheory.com/alteredChords.html) - Coursera: Berklee College’s *Jazz Improvisation* course (Week 4: Altered Scales). #### Software - MuseScore: Download altered chord exercises. - Teoria.com: Ear training drills for chord qualities.