Scale degree refers to a note’s position in a scale: 2nd, 4th, 5th, etc. When
extended degrees are added to a chord, the chord takes on the name of the
highest degree. For instance, Cmaj9 has a 9th in it. G13 (Gdom13) has a 13th in
it, and so forth.
Scale degrees continue through the first octave and well into the second octave.
Theoretically, we can count 15 notes through the second octave, but in practice
the highest degree for a major chord is the 13th, 11th for minor chords.
w
h
C
w
w
h
w
w
w
w
h
w
w
D
E
F
G
A
B C
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
D
E
F
G
A
2
3
4
5
6
1st
2nd 3rd 4th
5th
6th
7th
9th 10th 11th
12th
13th
C Major Scale with Extensions to 13th degree
Sometimes notes above the first octave of the scale are added to chords to give
them a larger sound. Chords with these notes are called
extended chords.
Chords with
extensions
are named according to their highest
scale degree,
e.g.,
Cmaj13 (as in the example below).
5.
Chord Note Extensions
Major & Minor Scales
6.
Scale Degrees
Major & Minor Scales
10
w
w
h
C
w
w
h
w
w
D
D
E
F
G
A
B C
1st
2nd
3rd 4th
5th
6th
7th 8th
9th
B
w
w
h
w
w
w
h
B C
D
E F
G
A
Locrian Mode
Major Scale
{
3 steps = Diminished Fifth
{
3½ steps = Perfect Fifth
The 9th degree of
C major is D.
{
Extension Notes
Cmaj13
