Violin · Level 8 · Advanced

Altered dominant chords on Violin

ii7–V7♯9–Imaj7 / ii7–V7♭9–Imaj7 in all 12 keys.

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THE SHORT ANSWER

Altered dominants add a raised or lowered ninth to V7 for extra tension before resolving. The 7♯9 is also the famous "Hendrix chord".

Choose a key

C majorDm7 · G7♯9 · Cmaj7 · Cmaj7D♭ majorE♭m7 · A♭7♯9 · D♭maj7 · D♭maj7D majorEm7 · A7♯9 · Dmaj7 · Dmaj7E♭ majorFm7 · B♭7♯9 · E♭maj7 · E♭maj7E majorF♯m7 · B7♯9 · Emaj7 · Emaj7F majorGm7 · C7♯9 · Fmaj7 · Fmaj7F♯ majorG♯m7 · C♯7♯9 · F♯maj7 · F♯maj7G majorAm7 · D7♯9 · Gmaj7 · Gmaj7A♭ majorB♭m7 · E♭7♯9 · A♭maj7 · A♭maj7A majorBm7 · E7♯9 · Amaj7 · Amaj7B♭ majorCm7 · F7♯9 · B♭maj7 · B♭maj7B majorC♯m7 · F♯7♯9 · Bmaj7 · Bmaj7

Listen first: C major

Dm7

D minor seventh

Notes: D · F · A · C

D openD 2A openA 2A 3
String and finger, first position

G7♯9

G dominant seventh sharp nine

Notes: G · B · D · F · A♯

G openG 2D openD 2♯A 1D 3
String and finger, first position

Cmaj7

C major seventh

Notes: C · E · G · B

G 3D 1D 3A 1A 2
String and finger, first position

G7b9

G dominant seventh flat nine

Notes: G · B · D · F · A♭

G openG 2D openD 2♭D 4D 3
String and finger, first position
1
Dm7
2
G7♯9
3
Cmaj7
4
Cmaj7
5
Dm7
6
G7b9
7
Cmaj7
8
Cmaj7

Why it works

Altered ninths are a half step away from chord tones of I, so they resolve by the smallest possible step.

On another instrument

Altered dominant chords on Guitar →Altered dominant chords on Piano →Altered dominant chords on Ukulele →Altered dominant chords on Mandolin →Altered dominant chords on Banjo →Altered dominant chords on Flute →

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