Learning jazz chords on piano can seem like a daunting task, but with a proper approach, it can be a fun and rewarding experience. To get the most out of your time and effort, it is important to learn the chords in a logical and efficient manner. Here is a recommended order for learning jazz chords on piano.
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Major Triads: Start with the basic building blocks of all chords, major triads. A major triad consists of three notes, the root, third, and fifth. Familiarize yourself with the sound and structure of major triads in all twelve keys.
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Seventh Chords: Once you have a good understanding of major triads, move on to seventh chords. The most common type of seventh chord in jazz is the dominant seventh chord, which adds a flat seventh to the major triad.
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Extended Chords: After mastering seventh chords, it’s time to move on to extended chords. These chords include ninths, elevenths, and thirteenths. These chords provide a more complex sound and are commonly used in jazz.
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Altered Dominants: Altered dominants are dominant seventh chords with altered fifths and/or ninths. These chords provide a more dissonant sound and are commonly used in jazz to create tension and dissonance.
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Substitute Dominants: Substitute dominants are chords used to replace the dominant chords in a progression. These chords provide a unique sound and can add variety to a progression.
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ii-V-I Progressions: The ii-V-I progression is one of the most common progressions in jazz. It consists of a minor chord, a dominant chord, and a major chord. This progression is used in many jazz standards and is a great place to start incorporating the chords you have learned.
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Turnarounds: A turnaround is a chord progression that leads back to the beginning of a piece or section. Turnarounds are an important part of the blues and are commonly used in jazz to bring a piece or section full circle.
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Blues Progressions: The blues is a cornerstone of jazz and it is important to understand the blues progression and the different chords used in the blues.
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Modal Progressions: Modal progressions are based on scales, rather than chord progressions. These progressions provide a different sound and are an important part of jazz.
In conclusion, learning jazz chords on piano requires a systematic approach. By starting with major triads and moving on to seventh chords, extended chords, altered dominants, substitute dominants, ii-V-I progressions, turnarounds, blues progressions, and modal progressions, you will be well on your way to mastering jazz chords on piano. As always, be sure to practice regularly and listen to recordings of jazz pianists to gain inspiration and a deeper understanding of the genre.
Source: “Jazz Piano Chords: A Complete Guide” by Mark Davis.
