The numbers in the blue dots tell you which fingers to use on the fretting hand. You can check this link for more on how to read guitar notation symbols. To clarify how to read the chord charts, the top horizontal line represents the high E string and the bottom horizontal line represents the low E string. Usually, some notes are omitted to play these on these chords on guitar.īefore we get into the different upper chord extensions, it would be beneficial to review 7th chord shapes starting on different strings. Keep in mind that not all the chord tones are included in a chord shape since it’s impractical and sometimes impossible to add all the notes at once. Chord names are often used interchangeably but it will help to understand this concept of upper chord extensions. For example, without the 7th chord tone, you would say 2 instead of 9, 4 instead of 11, or 6 instead of 13. Note that if the 7th chord tone isn’t implied in a chord, the added notes are typically called differently. You can also apply these upper chord extensions with other chord qualities such the Dominant 7th or minor 7th chord. Example: C Major 7 (9, #11, 13) has the notes C, E, G, B, D, F# and A. Example: C Major 7 (9, #11) has the notes C, E, G, B, D, and F#. Example: C Major 7 (9) has the notes C, E, G, B, and D.

Jazz chords often include the 6th or 7th chord tone with upper chord extensions such as the 9th, 11th, and 13th to more color to a chord. Example: C diminished 7 has the notes C, Eb, Gb, and A. Diminished 7 chord – 1, b3, b5, bb7 (same as Major 6).Example: C minor 7 b5 has the notes C, Eb, Gb, and Bb. Example: C minor 7 has the notes C, Eb, G, and Bb. Example: C 7 has the notes C, E, G, and Bb. Example: C Major 7 has the notes C, E, G, and B. Example: C minor 6 has the notes C, Eb, G, and A. Example: C Major 6 has the notes C, E, G, and A. If we take this one step further and add another note to the basic structure we get 6th and 7th chords such as: For example, C augmented has the notes C, E, and G#. For example, C diminished has the notes C, Eb, and Gb. For example, C minor has the notes C, Eb, and G. For example, C Major has the notes C, E, and G. You can think of a chord tone as a scale degree in relation to the root note.įirst, let’s look at what chord tones belong to triad chord structures below.

Jazz chords are formed by adding chord tones to basic triad chord structures. Understanding jazz chords and chord extensions Once you learn the movable jazz chord shapes included in this lesson, you can shift them to any root note. In this lesson, we’ll break down the theory on how jazz chords are formed, cover over 70 jazz chord shapes on guitar and look at chord progressions examples help you apply them. If you’ve tried learning to play jazz chords on guitar, it can feel overwhelming understand what they are or how they work.

Tab notes for jazz guitar