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