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In this tutorial I discuss a question I've been sent- is there a formula for adding extensions to basic piano chords? The straightforward answer is no, but there are a few basic guidelines that you can use to extend you chords and make your chord sequences more interesting.

In this video I use a simple chord sequence in the key of C major, which uses 1, 4 and 5 chords (C, F and G), to demonstrate how adding different extensions can completely change the feel and style of a sequence.

Whether you're writing or improvising, you should think about the sort of style and sound that you want your chord sequence to have. It's important to play around with various extensions and see what feels right for the context and the type of song.

Sixths and ninths generally create a rich, jazzy sound, whereas dominant sevenths will often sound quite bluesy. Try adding a variety of extensions to your chords and then decide what works best.

Your most important tools when deciding on chord extensions are your ears. You'll hear that some extensions just don't sound right or gel with the effect that you're trying to create. For example, a major seventh added to a fifth will sound pretty 'out there'!
If you didn't understand anything in this video, please feel free to leave me a message in the comment thread, or check out my earlier videos which give a more basic introduction to chords and improvisation. You might also like to have a look at my book, How to Really Play the Piano, which has a whole section on chords.