Upper Structure - Application

Application

Determining which upper structure(s) can be juxtaposed on top of a chord is achieved by considering the relationship between a particular chord and the scale it implies. An example follows:

The chord C13♭9♯11 contains the following notes, from the root upwards: C, E, G, B♭, D♭, F♯, A

The following octatonic scale contains all of these pitches, and fits or matches up with the C13♭9♯11 chord: C, D♭, E, F♯, G, A, B♭, C

Choosing from the available pitches given by this octatonic scale, we can construct a number of major, and minor triads: C major, G♭ major, F♯ minor, A major, and A minor .

Juxtaposing any of these triads over the original C13♭9♯11 chord will provide a potential upper structure that agrees with this chord type and the related scale.

Read more about this topic:  Upper Structure

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