Yeah, jazz music does what is called embellishment; however, it's a misconceived notion that such chords only exist in and for the genre.
Heck, folks spaz when I put up chord/leadsheets when what I do is genres other than that one. Having said that, there are no rules for any genre.
I've done "standard progressions." If anyone has heard my tracks - particularly, "Creamy Cashews," knows I've got some - what most would call weird chords if I were to spell them out and/or attach figured bass (which gets very complicated going past a ninth-chord)
However, those people have also said that I know my stuff and well, they aren't wrong. As a courtesy, I do try to simplify the chords. The chord/alt bass variety.
This progression:
C7#5b9, Fm9, Bb7#5#9, Bb7#5b9, EbMaj9
Is no different than this one:
Bbm7b5/C, AbMaj7/F, E11/Bb, Abm7/Bb, Gm7/Eb
The arranging of the notes is just different.
The bottom progression is alot less "jazzy", however, they're still the same chords as only the intervals are closer together. That isn't to say you can't write those kinds of chords.
When it comes to progressions relative to the key though - given the above example, I'd rather go:
VI-ii-V-V-I as opposed to v-IV-I-iv-iii (disregarding accidentals)
As you can see, my obvious preference ending with some sort of cadence (Usually authentic) Not that the latter isn't one, but it certainly is an odd one. And I do know all songs do not end with strong cadences; however, even if it's a plagal or half-cadence, I feel that the song has ended. (Blossoms has a half-cadence; (V-V) Cashews may have one - not sure) Getting Over You has an Authentic one, (V-I), but how it's reached is what makes it unique.
In F: I-vi-iii7-ii7-V7; I-vi-ii7-
V7; V9sus-V7b9-IMaj9. The bolded chord is the "pivot chord," as one would think that after playing the V7, I'd go back to the I; however, looking at the last three, where'd I end up (key)? (One can follow because the melody follows with its "pivot note," as it fits both the pivot chord and the immediate subsequent one.)
Peaceful Slumber has "weird" chords as well; yet, they have been inverted accordingly to fit the genre. It's got the wntire span of intervals from triads to 13ths - okay. altered 11ths - but you wouldn't think so hearing it!
Most major songs begin with this progression or repeat it through out: I-iii(IMaj7)-IV(ii7)-V(V7) or this one: I-vi-IV(ii7)-V(V7) ending up with some kind of cadence (Authentic or Plagal: V-I or VI-I)
Of course, minor keys have theirs as well. i-V-VI-III(v7)-VII-i (The "Dido" progression - see Thank You by her (and Stan by Eminem)
While collaborating I suggested the stronger progression, although the one I heard works just fine with the song in the relative minor; however, one can still get hard cadences as well. As I said, it's just my preference. (a: i-iv(VI)-V7#5-iMaj7-i)
And GH is right about derivatives which confuses people who only hear, but not see what's played.
If you heard a Cm7 (first inversion); you'd think it was an Eb6 in root position if you knew what Eb6 looked like. Or, not knowing the difference between a half-diminished (m7b5) in first inversion from a minor six (m6) in root position. (Am7b5, Cm6)
To show you what these chords look like:
Cm7 = C, Eb, G, Bb; Eb6 = Eb, G, Bb, C
Am7b5 = A, C, Eb, G; Cm6 = C, Eb, G, A
Am7 (first inversion) = C6 (root position) A, C, E, G; C, E, G, A
It starts to get ugly when you invert diminished 7ths (F, Ab, B, Ddim7) (
4 different names; eight if you include each en-harmonic equivalent) Do you really want to see this?
From there, 9-13ths and this is with
nothing altered! Quite nasty, I tell you! Nasty!!
I may have told you my writing style; however, try to play "weird chords" (close altered, non-altered 9/11ths) in not-so weird genres (pop) and vice-versa (close 7ths in jazz) and hear how different the same song sounds. You'll find if arranged correctly, that they don't sound so weird. Of course, looking at them may be a different story altogether. I should know as I write such! (C9b5 = what? EbmMaj7/C = okay - provided they know what a mMaj7 is.)
post edited by Rus W - 2011/11/06 17:49:45