Published:
2013-09-24
Updated:
2014-03-03

Learning Ukulele with Curt

Chord Alterations

The "fifth", "ninth", "eleventh" and "thirteenth" of a chord can be altered. Alterations can be applied 1, 2 and 3 at a time. The alternations give a chord added color or tension.

Author(s): Curt Sheller Publisher: Curt Sheller Publications Code: UL42L4-alt

Main Category: Chords Main Instrument: Any

Categories: Chords

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2026-08-23

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Chord Alterations

The "fifth", "ninth", "eleventh" and "thirteenth" of a chord can be altered. Alterations can be applied 1, 2 and 3 at a time. The alternations give a chord added color or tension.

Lower Fifth

The Fifth of any major or minor chord type can be lowered one fret.

Raised Fifth

The Fifth of any major or minor chord type can be raised one fret.

Lowered Ninth

The Ninth of ANY chord can be raised one fret.

Raised Ninth

The Ninth of any any major or augmented chord type can be raised three frets.

Raised Eleventh

The Eleventh of any any major or augmented chord type can be raised two frets.

The Third of a minor chord type can be raised three frets.

Lowered Thirteenth

The lowered thirteenth is identical to the augmented fifth.

art by Curt Sheller

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