Harmony – The Major 13th Chord

Kaz Kasozi from Uganda explains vocal harmony. The lesson shows all the structures in the Major 13th chord. The chord is based on the Lydian mode, which you can use as a basis for improvisation when playing over the chord. The fourth degree of the mode is raised a half step from ‘Fa’ to ‘Fi’. The Major 13th chord is an extended chord, meaning it goes beyond the octave or 8th note. The notes above the octave are called chord extensions. It has a rich and complex sound. This is because there are many chords and bichords contained within it.

Filmed at the Cape Gate MIAGI Centre for Music in Jabulani, Soweto, South Africa in September 2013 by the Global Music Campus for Music In Africa.