Learning how to play jazz chords can be intimidating for guitar players. Especially at first.
There are a lot of numbers and symbols you might not have seen before. And if you’re mostly used to playing open chords…
… things like Eb, Db, Gb are going to be kind of scary.
I get it. This is the same boat I was in when I got started learning jazz chords. I was pretty good. I could play my open chords just fine.
Power chords? No problem!
I even had a couple of barre chords under my fingers. I felt like I was pretty good for a kid.
But my first look at a jazz chord chart was like trying to read hieroglyphics. I was clueless.
But sometimes when you start learning about something, it’s simpler than you thought.
Yes, it can seem like there are countless different jazz chords you have to learn. But there are really just 5 types of chords you have to learn. The real term for these is chord qualities.
And for each of these chord qualities, there are only so many ways you can play them. We’re all dealing with the same 6 strings, and 12ish frets you can really play chords at.
This lesson can be your starting point for learning jazz chords on guitar. I’ll walk you through each of the 5 different chord qualities.
And I’ll give you examples of the most common ways to play each of them. Chip away at the chords in this lesson, and you’ll be good to go before you know it.
Movable Jazz Chords for Guitar
All of the jazz chords in this lesson are movable chord shapes. This means that if you move the chord shape to a different fret, you have a different chord.
This is one of the ways we can cut down on how many chords you actually have to learn. You learn a shape, and you learn the notes on that string. Move the red dot to a new fret, and you’ve got a new chord!
Click here for my article on learning the notes on the guitar to help you out with that part of it.
Major 7 Chords
Major 7 chords are built using a root (1), third (3), fifth (5), and seventh (7).
The usual chord symbols you’ll see for these are Maj7, M7, ∆7. All chords below are C major 7th (Cmaj7, C∆7).
Dominant 7 Chords
Dominant 7 chords are built using a root (1), third (3), fifth (5), and flat seventh (b7). They’re commonly referred to as 7th chords (G7, C7).
The usual chord symbol you’ll see for this is 7. As you get better, there are several alterations you can make to this chord, so these shapes are really just the starting point.
All chords below are C dominant 7th (C7).
Minor 7 Chords
Minor 7 chords are built using a root (1), flat third (b3), fifth (5), and flat seventh (b7).
The usual chord symbols you’ll see for these are Min7, m7, -7.
All chords below are C minor 7th (Cmin7, C-7).
Minor 7♭5 (Half-Diminished) Chords
Minor 7b5 chords are built using a root (1), flat third (b3), flat fifth (b5), and flat seventh (b7). They’re also referred to as half-diminished seventh chords (Gø7, Cø7).
The usual chord symbols you’ll see for these are Min7b5, -7b5, ø7.
All chords below are C minor 7b5 (Cmin7b5, Cø7).
Diminished 7 Chords
Diminished 7 chords are built using a root (1), flat third (b3), fifth (5), and double flat (or diminished) seventh (bb7).
The usual chord symbols you’ll see for these are: Dim7, º7.
All chords below are C diminished 7th (Cdim7, Cº7).
Choosing the Right Jazz Chords
For each of the chord qualities so far, I’ve given you several different options for how to play them. The different chord shapes can all be useful to you in different situations. And you can also mix and match – you don’t have to stick with one type of chord shape.
Shell chords
These are the easiest to learn – and they’re a great place to start. They also work really well in traditional jazz and big band situations.
If I’m reading through chords to a new tune for the first time, I’m probably going to be using shell chords to do it. They give you a good, clear idea of what the chord sounds like. Without any extra stuff to get in the way.
I also find these useful in situations where I’m walking bass lines and playing chords at the same time.
Drop 3 Chords
While some of these can be a little stretchy, they’re a good next step from shell chords. These are the shapes I tend to use when I’m practicing by myself, accompanying a singer, or playing without a bass player.
Drop 3 jazz chords will give you some nice depth and a balanced sound across the strings. They’re also a good foundation for chord melody later on. All around, these might be my favorite chord shapes.
Drop 2 Chords
Drop 2 chords sound good, but some of them can be pretty stretchy.
Because of how they stack up, there are also potentially a lot of shapes to learn. There are low, middle, and high string sets – because the chord is played across 4 adjacent strings.
This can get a little overwhelming if you let it.
But we can simplify things a little bit. If I’m playing in a group, you’ll probably hear me using the high versions of the drop 2 chords.
They just tend to fill the right space, without getting in the way of any other instruments. It’s great for situations where I’m the only comping instrument – they give me a lot of room to play.
The high shapes are also important for developing chord melody arrangements – so this is where I’d probably tell you to start (with drop 2 chords).
The middle set of shapes is also handy – but includes a couple of pretty big stretches – so be warned.
I don’t really use the lower set that much – I feel like they sound a little bit muddy, and if I really need some lower sounds, I’ll use drop 3 chords instead.
So at the end of the day, you don’t really need all of the drop 2 chords. You can get a lot done with just the high shapes.
Practice Tips for Jazz Chords
One Chord Shape at a Time
There are a lot of chord shapes here, and that can get overwhelming. But don’t worry about it. Pick one shape to learn at a time, and start chipping away.
I used this strategy in college when I needed to boost my chord vocabulary. I had the Joe Pass Guitar Chords book (affiliate link) in my gig bag. And I’d pick one chord shape to focus on for the week, and use it any time I could.
If it was a major 7th chord shape, I’d try to use it on every single major 7th chord I came across that week – in practice, rehearsals, and jamming with friends.
It’s a pretty fast and painless way to add more chords to your playing. Now I know that one chord a week doesn’t sound like a lot. But if you stick with it, your chords will add up quicker than you think.
Use New Jazz Chords in Songs
One mistake a lot of people make is trying to get their chords perfect in exercises first. And I’m including myself in “a lot of people” here.
I know I played endless times through the cycle of 4ths trying to get things smooth – and sometimes still couldn’t pull off a new chord when I was playing for real.
But it’s really simple. The fastest way to make these chords usable is to put them into your real playing right away.
Are you going to miss it sometimes? I sure did. Especially with chords that were stretchier than I was used to. Or awkward.
But you’ll also get a lot better, a lot faster. You’re working on new chords and songs at the same time, so it’s a win-win.
Learning Jazz Chords for Guitar
Learning jazz chords on guitar doesn’t have to be intimidating. At the end of the day, we’re using movable chord shapes, and a limited number of chord qualities.
You can make things easier on yourself by learning one chord shape at a time – even going as slow as one chord shape per week. It all adds up over time.
You’ll learn faster and have an easier time if you put your new chords to work right away in your playing. You won’t only be able to play more chords, but you’ll be playing songs you like too.
The chords in this lesson are going to cover most of the bases for you. Keep learning, and keep adding new jazz chords to your vocabulary.