On yesterday’s radio show, I got a question from a fellow in Vallejo, California about polychords.
So today, I just want to take a second to explain what polychords are for those of you who missed the show.
First, it’s helpful to note what the word “poly” means.
It’s a greek prefix, meaning “many” so that should give us a hint as to what polychords are.
poly-chords
“many”-chords.
And that’s exactly what a polychord is…
It’s usually a bigger chord that consists of two or more smaller chords, one on top of the other.
You can also refer to this as “stacking” or “superimposing” one chord on top of the other.
So it really is that easy.
Let’s explore some examples:
What happens if you play a C major triad on your left and a G major triad on your right?
(C + E + G) + (G + B + D)
That’s basically stacking the 5-chord on top of the 1-chord.
Note: Since both chords have a G in it, you can choose to either use the left hand or the right hand.
Left hand: C + E Right hand: G + B + D
Left hand: C + E + G Right hand: B + D
(This chord is still not that huge so you can play it all with one hand: C + E + G + B + D).
This is a C major ninth chord.
C + E + G + B + D
1 + 3 + 5 + 7 + 9
What if you changed all these chords to minor?
C minor on left and G minor on right?
C + Eb + G + Bb + D
1 + b3 + 5 + b7 + 9
This is a C minor 9 chord.
What if you played a C major triad on the left hand and a Bb major 7 on the right hand?
So that’s basically the 1-chord + b7 chord (“flat seventh chord”)
C + E + G + Bb + D + F + A
1 + 3 + 5 + b7 + 9 + 11 + 13
Wow! This is a huge chord. A “C13″
So basically, polychords are composed of smaller chords stacked on top of each other. Regardless of whether you’re playing a ninth, eleventh, or thirteenth chord, they can always be broken down to smaller chords because all of those extended chords are essentially polychords.
Why is this important to know? Well, for one, if you’re playing with a bass player, it’s helpful to know what you can play on your left hand and what might work well on your right hand. Then you can start inverting chords on either hand to make different combinations. From there, you can start altering chords and now you’ve just entered the world of “two-hand” altered chord voicings. It’s crazy indeed!
Here are some formulas. You can pick any key you want…
1-major + 5-major = 1-major 9 chord
1-minor + 5-minor = 1-minor 9 chord
1-major + 5-minor = 1-dominant 9 chord
1-minor + 5-major = 1-minor-major 9 chord
1-major + b7-major = 1-dominant 11 chord
…And the list goes on —
I’ll start the exercise off in the comments. Post any key you want!
I hope you enjoyed this lesson.
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Until next time —
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{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
C major:
C major + G major = C major 9
C + E + G + B + D
C minor + G minor = C minor 9
C + Eb + G + Bb + D
C major + G minor = C9 (also known as C dominant 9… works great on the 2-chord right before progression to a 5-chord in a “2-5-1″ progression)
Who else wants to add to this list in another key?
Bb MAJ9
Bb+D+F+A+C
Bb MINOR 9TH
Bb+Db+F+Ab+C
Bb DOM 9TH
Bb+D+F+Ab+C
Bb min MAJ 9TH
Bb+Db=F+A+C
Bb DOM 11TH
Bb+D+F+A+C+Eb
MUCH NEEDED INFORMATION
JERMAINE GRIGGS FOR PREZ……FUNK MUSIC FOR EVERY MAN, WOMAN, & CHILD!!!
G major 9
G + B + D + F# + A
G minor 9
G + Bb + D + F + A
G 9
G + B + D + F + A
G min maj 9 ????
G + Bb + D + F# A ????
Thanks for this great info. By thinking in terms of all these chords as ” 1 chord plus 5 chord” i was able to call them up really fast. great help.
I am learning alot but not so much ready for alot of comments , before i make afool of myself.
Anyway God bless you.
@Sangiwa: Don’t worry about making a fool of yourself. No one is a fool here. Participating is better than sitting back silent… trust me! Join in! Even if you’re wrong… you’ll get feedback and understand why.
Take care,
Jermaine
Let me take a shot at it………..lol
F major9
F + A + C + E + G
F minor 9
F + Ab + C + Eb + G
F9
F + A + C + Eb + G
F minor-major 9
F + Ab + C + E + G
F11
F + A + C + Eb + G + Bb
F13
F + A + C + Eb + G + Bb + D
@Ray: You right on the money doc!
So did breaking up the chords into smaller ones really help to know them faster?
E major
E major + B major = E major9
E+G#+B+D#+F#
E minor + B minor = E minor9
E+G+B+D+F#
E major + B minor = E dom9
E+G#+B+D+F#
@Chawk: Awesome.
(P.S. – long time no see, where have ya been? :) )
I been reading and listening to your blog radio talk show. It’s all good! Keep doing what you’re doing. It’s not in vain.
Thanks Chawk! Are you a regular listener? If you haven’t already, call in one week so you can be live on the air. It’ll be fun!
I haven’t, I’ll keep listening for now. Your Q&A are hard! (smile) and I’m not there yet.
C7+DMA7
C7 DMAJ7
C+Bb C#+E+A+A
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