Basic Chords to Learn
Here is your first lesson, basic chords to make sure you have down solid in every key. To keep things simple I will only write everything out in the key of C. You will simply take the same scale degrees and apply the method to all 12 keys.
|
Major 7th 7 B CMaj7 |
Min/Maj 7th 7 B C min(Maj7) |
Dominant 7th b7 Bb C 7 |
Minor 7th b7 Bb C min7 |
|
Half Dim b7 Bb C min7(b5) |
Diminished bb7 A C dim7 |
Augmented 7th b7 Bb C aug7 |
I didn’t include Major & Minor 6th chords because you don’t see them as much. All you have to do is instead of playing the 7th, replace it with the sixth scale degree.
Some tips to keep in mind
- You only need to learn 3 diminished chords because they are stacked minor thirds, eventually they repeat themselves depending on what note you start on.
- You only need to learn 4 augmented chords because they are in whole step. Same situation as diminished chords, they will repeat themselves depending on what note you start on.
How can I practice these chords?
The easiest way to shed these chords is to simply play them out on your horn up & down going up half steps C to C# to D etc.., whole steps C to D to E etc…, 3rds C to E to Ab etc…, 4ths C to F to Bb etc… 5ths C to G to D etc…. For C maj7, you would simply repeat this pattern in all 12 keys:
1 3 5 7 5 3 1
Once you got it down starting on C, you can play the same chord pattern starting on the 3rd, then 5th, then 7th. If you do this, you will have all of the chords down solid, I promise!!!
Wow, thanks. Didn’t know what to expect. Very grateful. I just rec’d this email tonight, so I’ll start tomorrow.
I know the Maj scale and chords, the Dorian mode and minor 7th chords, the Mixolydian and Dom7th chords, and am learning the Locrian and Half Dim chords. I am also practicing the pentatonic scale pattern you gave; and I’m learning the Bebop lick you gave – I love it – transcribed it to my Finale program in all keys. It’s so easy to keep going in the bebop mode in each key, a lot of fun.
I’ve been playing the scales and chords full range most of the time rather than 1357531 3575313; I’ll add this, thanks.
Do I tell you when I need another lesson?
To learn everything you gave, even though I know half, will take a while.
Thanks again
Went through all chords in 12 key with ease with eighth notes at 132. When doing these chord exercises what do I need to focus on: the sound each chord makes the construction, the key the chord belongs to. I’ve done scale and chord work before but never knew what to focus on.
Your main focus is memory and making it easy to play in all 12 keys, with these chord exercises you’re outlining the most used chord tones. The more you play in all 12 keys from memory, the better your technique will get. For me, improvising in the key of concert F, Bb, C, & Eb are very easy, but I tend to have a tougher time improvising in concert E, A, & B on trumpet. This is why when a learn a scale, pattern, or Jazz lick in all 12 keys, I will focus a little more time on getting the pattern down in the tougher keys.
Hope this helps.
Thanks very much, very useful!
thanx… a lot .
Thanks. Been playing sax 7 days a week at home. One hour a day. Got Carpel Tunnel out of it. But I play Like Coltrane. If I cut Down to twice a week, wiil I lose my Form and Tecqnique?
7 days since 2003 Freddy.
Wow this is really cool! How often are lessons sent?
I try and spread lessons out on a weekly basis. Hope you like them!
What do you mean?
Cool man!
Hi Gregory.
Thank you very much, i like so much your deep sound and your playing.
Then the first lesson consists on a arpeggio Technique lesson???.
I think it will be so hard to have it all solid, but………..i believe in your method and i´ll try.
Thanks alot i will be practising this week
Thank you,
Just opened my e-mail it’s like 11:00 pm.I’ll start working on them tomarrow.
Thank you very much.It’s my first step toward improvising.
Dave Mullen
Hey Pete, glad this info helps. The next lesson will come automatically to your inbox.
Thanks man, I didn’t think I had a deep sound, but cool…. Yeah I agree it will take awhile to learn all this, but greatly needed for your Jazz improvisation playing.
You better be, just kidding. We call it shedding not practicing in the Jazz World.. But this is really optional.
Hey Dave, hope this Jazz lesson helps you out…
Thank you sir, I really appreciate
Thanks for the easy to understand basic chords. I have a lot of work to do on my trumpet. After not playing for several decades, this is really helpful.
Mel