Chords

I am having trouble understanding what makes a major or minor chord a 7th. I understand the sus4 and sus2, but 7th's and add 9's are confusing to me. Can somebody explain that to me?

Well basically 7th's are a triad + one note.
9th (11th, 13th also) are a dominant chord (major triad with a flat 7) + one note.
If you have a major 7th chord, its a major triad plus the 7th note of the key.

So if in the key of C you have - 1, 3, 5, + 7 - C, E, G, B
C minor would be a minor triad with a flat 7 - 1, flat 3, 5 + flat 7 - C, Eb, G, Bb

A 9th 11th or 13th is the same idea but over a dominant chord.
The 9th = the 2, the 11th = the 4th and the 13th = the 6th. Its like if you where taking them from the next octave (after the 8, being the root)


So C9 would be 1, 3, 5, flat 7 + 9 - C, E, G, Bb, D

There as to be some videos here on GT explaining those Chords. I'm pretty sure by the end of the day Chris will have a bunch of link for you :)

Add9 chords do not contain a 7th.

Dominant chords always have a b7th and a Maj 3rd.

Major 7th chords have a Maj 3rd and a Maj 7th degree.

minor 7th chords have a m3rd and a b7th.

Once you understand those chord types, the more complex chords will be just as easy to tackle. It's really all about understanding the terminology as it relates to intervals.

Go look at an interval lesson if you don't already completly understand them.

Best of luck.

Oh ya I didnt read it well. Thanks for pointing that out jock.
C add 9 and C9 are two different things. C add 9 is a a major triad plus a 9th.
C9 is a C dominant 7th plus the 9th.

Thanks for the help. That is making more sense to me now.