Learning New Chords
It obviously takes quite a bit of time to learn and memorize all the chords up to the 13th in all keys, but if you work at it methodically for a short time each day, you will be surprised at your rate of progress.
There is a simple method for learning a new chord group (e.g. 9th chords) or chord type (e.g. dominant 9th chords) and working it into your playing. Start with chords with the least number of notes in them like you have done so far – three note chords first (triads), then four note chords (7ths and 6ths), then five note chords (9ths) then six (11ths) and finally seven note chords (13ths).
First, take the whole chord group and analyze the difference between the various types. The following example demonstrates three different types of 9th chords. Notice that the 9th degree remains the same in each chord. Only the 3rd and 7th degrees change.
Once you have clearly established the difference between the chord types, concentrate on one of them and play it as an arpeggio across the range of your instrument, as shown with the following C dominant 9th chord (C9). Notice that the 9th degree is the same as the 2nd degree of the scale (in this case a D note in the C mixolydian mode). Even though the 9th is technically an octave higher, you can add this note to the arpeggio in any octave.
The next step is to run through all the inversions of the chord as shown here.
Once you can play all the inversions of a chord, you should know it fairly well. The next step is to improvise with the notes of the chord. The more notes there are in the chord, the closer you will always be to another note of the chord, regardless of what degree you are playing. Unless you are leaping to a distant chord degree for a musical reason (this is quite valid and helps create interest in the line if not done too often), it is usually desirable to create a smooth line by using degrees which are close together.
Another thing worth practicing is playing up through the scale (mixolydian for a dominant 9th chord) to the 9th degree and then back down. By going up to the 9th, you have a chord tone on each beat of the bar both ascending and descending. Next, try ascending through the scale and descending through the arpeggio, then up the arpeggio and down the scale.
Finally, place the new chord you are learning in a context with a chord either side of it and practice improvising over the progression until you are comfortable moving to and from the chord. The following example uses 9th chords and a 6th chord instead of 7ths in a 2 5 1 progression.
