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The Bond Chord
One chord sounds like danger, style and suspense at once: Em(maj9), the chord that ends the James Bond Theme. Build it step by step, hear why its major seventh is a leading tone that never resolves, and play the creeping minor line cliché underneath it, then end a phrase on the Bond chord yourself.
In this lesson you'll
- Build Em(maj9) step by step (E G B, + D# the major seventh, + F# the ninth) and move the shape to Am(maj9): A C E G# B.
- Hear why it sounds dangerous: D# is a leading tone a half step below the root that wants to rise to E and never does.
- Play the minor line cliché, rising (B C C# C) and falling (Em – Em(maj7) – Em7 – Em6), and land a phrase on the Bond chord.
Music in this lesson
- James Bond ThemeMonty Norman, arranged by John Barry · Dr. No, 1962
Remember
The Bond chord is a minor triad plus a major seventh plus a ninth: E G B D# F#, a minor-major ninth.
The major seventh is a leading tone that never resolves: permanent tension, the colour film noir and spy music love.
A line creeping by half steps inside a minor chord, while the chord stays put, sounds like someone sneaking around.