Playing extensions in a solo line

[Tarquin1986]

Like many players on here, and many of the great players in history, when playing tonal progressions I try to target chord tones. On the first beat of a chord I usually move by step/half-step to the root, 3rd, 5th or 7th.
What I'm wondering is, if you're purposefully aiming to play extensions (9ths, 11ths and 13ths) do you try to lead into these tones in the same way or does it matter at all?

[michaelsorg]

Originally Posted by Tarquin1986

Like many players on here, and many of the great players in history, when playing tonal progressions I try to target chord tones. On the first beat of a chord I usually move by step/half-step to the root, 3rd, 5th or 7th.
What I'm wondering is, if you're purposefully aiming to play extensions (9ths, 11ths and 13ths) do you try to lead into these tones in the same way or does it matter at all?

If you are familiar with the sounds of the extensions of the chords, then you will be able to hear a melody in your head that incorporates them. How you get there depends on a lot of factors, but approaching a ninth from a half-step above will nearly always work. Consider a I - VI7b9 - ii7 - V7 I in key of C:
When you approach the b9 of A7 it's from the 7 of Cmaj7, you approach the 9 of Dm7 from the b13 of A7, you approach the b9 of G7 from the 5 of Dm7. All of it is very strong voice leading. Try it in all keys...

[Tarquin1986]

Thanks.