Originally Posted By: kelso
Hi Matt - I think we did this before - let's do it again. There are four possible alt chords - 7b5b9, 7b5#9, 7#5b9, 7#5#9. So in my mind the alt chord is not a specific chord, but a family of chords. So I'm always wondering when I see it which of the four is being specified.


Don't think of this situation as being "specified" as to one particular chord out of the four.

Think of it as a "your choice" situation, governed always by the boundaries of good musical taste. (Doesn't clash with a Melody note, doesn't clash with what others may be playing, etc.)

What's neat about them is that one rhythm player could pick any one out of the four and another, at the same time, could pick one of the other three possibilities left, and most often there won't be a harmonic clash, just more added Tension heading towards the next chord or set of chords, which are the Release of that Tension.

Alt chords want to go "home".


--Mac

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