Adding extended (7, 9, 11 or 13), altered (b5, #5, b9, #9, or #11), and/or other tones to a chord is referred to as chord embellishment or direct substitution. Below is a table showing commonly used embellishments by chord qualities that are used to add color and interest to chord progressions. Keep in mind that the “m7b5” chord can replace diminished chords.

Major (“I”) Chords

6, 6/9, add9, maj7, maj7b5, maj9, maj9#11, maj11, and maj13

Minor (“IIm”) Chords

m6, m6/9, m7, m7b5, m7#5, m7b9, m9, m9(M7), m11, and m(M7)

Dominant Seventh (“V”) Chords

7b5, 7(b5/b9), 7#5, 7(#5/b9), 7b9, 7(b9/#11), 7#9, 7(#9/#11), 9, 9b5, 9#5, 9#11, 11, 13, 13(b5/b9), 13b9, 7sus4, and 7+

The example below shows an example of how the standard progression can be dressed up by using embellishments.

Original Progression

C / / /

Am / / /

Dm / / /

G7 / / /

Substitute Progression

Cmaj7 / / /

Am7 / / /

Dm9 / / /

G13 / / /

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