5 Chords EVERYONE Plays (And You Should Too)

There's a reason everyone uses these cookie cutter chords: they sound great!
FREE PDF to follow along to the video - openstudiojazz.link/CookieCut...
Want more of these chords? Check out Adam's course Jazz Chords for Beginners - openstudiojazz.link/jcb

[@Dericulus]

Snobs: "These voicings are lame. Everybody's heard these 1000 times." Adam: "So What?" The Converted: "You right."

[@reggaefan2700]

Hello Open Studios. If you're playing the 9, can the chord still be viewed as a 7th? Isn't it a 9th chord at this point?

[@bret6484]

@@reggaefan2700 generally speaking, anywhere a 7th chord can be played (whether major, minor or dominant) a ninth chord could take its place and vice versa. There are times when specifying which one is useful, but most of the time calling something a seventh chord is enough to imply that more extensions are possible.

[@rillloudmother]

if you make them 4 note voicings these are used on guitar all the time.

[@lospopularos]

@@reggaefan2700 In classical music, yes. But this is jazz, libertine music, you do what you please as long as it pleases others, you call chords what you want, some people even call them "so what" chords.

[@lancejones6465]

So what!!! LOLOLOL

[@raycharles1796]

The Maj7 voicing is called "So What"-Chord (three fourths with a maj 3rd on top), made popular by Bill Evans in the "'amen' response figure" to the head of the Miles Davis tune "So What".

[@dereklarsen]

and all this time i thought it was Herbie. thanks. for posting

[@AlanBlackman]

Diminished scales are symmetrical and the chords derived from them are as well. So, voicings can be transposed up or down in minor 3rds. Also, it's a 3 for 1 deal: any voicing for say a C dim7 chord also works for Eb-Gb-Adim7 chords as well!

[@mjazzguitar]

I used to do that on guitar with those: instead of looking for the root, I'd find the nearest diminished chord with one of those notes in it.

[@dereklarsen]

Adam Maness is a Genius Educator, and virtuoso pianist. So Grateful for Open Studio content. All geniuses in my book. Attention Serious Musicians These Guys Are The Real Deal! Great Stuff!! VALUABLE!!

[@BluesImprov]

Amazing isn't cliche. . .This is why I find it hard to talk with other musicians. They seem to just have a need to find a way to denigrate something musically to show some special sophistication that THEY have but that most others don't. I only enjoy talking about music with non-musicians because they don't have that need to impress me with some special knowledge or understanding that only THEY have. If something sounds great, it's not cliche. . .It's GREAT!

[@MomLAU]

Wow--I hope _I'm_ not like that! (Professionally, I'm a church pianist, but I also do other types of music for fun (and I'm also learning guitar) and hope to pursue these other genres more on a professional level when I retire from my data entry job, whenever that may be.) I can't stand snobbish attitudes and I try not to have one.

[@democratprty]

They are just pandering to you and thinking you are the bourgeoisie like the virtuoso snobs

[@puzzzzzzy7476]

​@@MomLAUthere's a balance between improving your skill with complicated technique and implementing them at the right time and keeping it simple, it's all about the attitude tho if you're a humble musician I wouldn't worry but the people who are trying to be the "best musician" and just flex strait complex impressive music can take away from the groove by trying to be "the best" but the groove is half the music and it's best simple

[@musinKanto]

Release the snob in you. It’s liberating! 😆

[@johnalewisjazzmusic]

Yep for sure I’ve heard Keith Jarrett play a simple triad and wow.

[@ricardoparedes3656]

As a saxophone major. These videos help me so much so I can play the harmony and have a deeper connection to the music. Thank you!

[@OpenStudioJazz]

🎷👊

[@reggaefan2700]

Hello Open Studios. If you're playing the 9, can the chord still be viewed as a 7th? Isn't it a 9th chord at this point?

[@gidikalchhauser]

@@reggaefan2700 you can call them whatever you want if it helps you think about them and employ them beneficially. the consensus is, though: "7th chord" is a category of chords - a sound category like "triad" or "interval". 9, 11 & 13 (whether altered or not) are considered extensions to chords that add color without redefining the sound completely.

[@bigaaron]

Man as someone who plays a one note at a time type instrument, it really opened my eyes to whats going on in the rest of the group looking at scores and trying to learn a little keyboard. It all makes more sense now 😊

[@gabrielbotsford791]

I agree, great content for non-pianist jazz musicians

[@leifbaker2302]

This was so useful! For as long as I’ve played jazz, diminished and half diminished chords have always been a challenge for me. I never had anyone show me how to voice those chords. Now I have something to practice :)

[@RogerLato2]

Another essential and straight to the point vídeo. Thank you!

[@malcolmzackery3099]

This is so useful and well taught Adam! I love the demonstration you did at the end to get a feel on how to use delicious cookie cutter chords! Thanks!!

[@jaijeffcom]

Fabulous. I was aware of (most of) these voicings, but I can't pull them out instantly over just any changes. Now, a nice bounded enumeration of them along with a practical etude. In my daily practice routine now until I access all of them habitually. Thanks!

[@olanrewajuadagba1291]

Thank you Adams. This sounds were always in my mind but I do not know the combination of notes that make this sound. Wow thank you so much.

[@dad_breams]

Videos like this get me so hyped on music theory . Thanks open studio

[@TimSmolens]

Amazing. Some of the best voicing I have seen. Thx for sharing.

[@shreddaily101]

This is exactly what I needed in my practice right now. Thanks Adam!

[@OpenStudioJazz]

Awesome! Happy practicing.

[@reggaefan2700]

Hello Open Studios. If you're playing the 9, can the chord still be viewed as a 7th? Isn't it a 9th chord at this point?

[@New_in_jazz]

The same! 🙋

[@colorfulwater5070]

Thank you so much! This was so clear and was a piece I was missing.

[@djshmul1]

Thanks for this format , please make it more

[@New_in_jazz]

Wow! Amazing. Thank you very much Adam. This is what I need now 😍

[@0601989m]

Exactly what I need right now. Adam's presentation is stellar. The jazz gods must have special leather on order for his sandals by now.

[@cursedswordsman]

wut?

[@OpenStudioJazz]

🤣

[@doctorwillie2520]

Great! Thanks so much, Adam!

[@hocheelin5599]

Thanks, this has been one of the most helpful videos. Very useful for my level of play

[@fabiancosster8848]

man you are a very good teacher because you teach which kind of chord to use by playing a jazz standard before i had a lot of problem which kind of chord to use the system who helped me a lot is you magic voicing system man god bless you forever long

[@MilkMuscles]

Loving the video production along with the musical knowledge as well of course 👏

[@OpenStudioJazz]

Much appreciated!

[@Sneaky_Monkey_]

As usual, many thanks for the great lessons Adam!! :)

[@OpenStudioJazz]

My pleasure!

[@HenryNewbury]

These vids are SO great, thanks a bundle! ☺️🎹

[@zachstennes2569]

These work very well on guitar (probably because of the tuning being in fourths)

[@reggaefan2700]

Hello Open Studios. If you're playing the 9, can the chord still be viewed as a 7th? Isn't it a 9th chord at this point?

[@tjprosper7704]

​@reggaefan2700 It can be confusing, but in jazz harmony, it's common to notate chords as just 7ths. This shows all the tonal information you need to know the chord quality. The extensions you add from there are a matter of taste and don't usually change the function of the chord (ie: 9, #9, 11, 13 b13 etc). That's how I view it anyway!

[@normbellas1933]

Very nicely presented Adam. It is accessable for all levels. You offered direct access to the material if desired, but touched briefly and tastfully on the theroretical backstory if someone wished to make the effort to grasp the whole picture. Commendable educational effort on your part.

[@jegoy68]

Yes, I've heard that a million times...and been desiring to do that...and nobody ever got to explain it until the great Adam Maness!!! THANK YOUUUUUUUU!!!! 🙂

[@OpenStudioJazz]

Boom🙏

[@reggaefan2700]

Hello Open Studios. If you're playing the 9, can the chord still be viewed as a 7th? Isn't it a 9th chord at this point?

[@kookoo275]

@@reggaefan2700 the natural 9 can be added to any chord without changing its quality. If it's a sharp or flat 9 it does change the sound, so that's why those are usually explicitly written out. The guide tones (third and seventh) are the only notes that matter for determine the quality of a chord (besides accidentals like flat 5, sus4 etc)

[@scrat8177]

they function the same@@reggaefan2700

[@phly23]

Thanks Adam, such a great energy and lesson

[@NathanBloch]

I’ve been looking for some solid two handed voicing a for basic chords. This video was perfect. Thanks!

[@OpenStudioJazz]

Glad we could help!

[@petegreenwood2793]

Lovely lesson Adam!

[@dmytropashynskyi]

A lot of thanks! It's wonderful!

[@markbai]

An absolute clear, warm and quality lesson to me, much appreciated Adam.

[@OpenStudioJazz]

Thanks, Mark.👊

[@emuhanna]

Love you guys. Keep bringing it!

[@OpenStudioJazz]

Will do.

[@justie1220]

I watch your shorts religiously. This is my first time catching a long form video. If this video is representative of the content that is in your courses, I may be purchasing content from you guys. This is a well put together video and even though it’s basic jazz chord structure, I still found myself learning things that I can use when playing!

[@corradolentinello6297]

Super lesson. Grazie mille

[@doug6868]

great lesson Adam!

[@MrIsaknb]

Thanks, great video, as always from this channel👌

[@matiquielma]

Super useful!! I really got a dopamine hit when you put the miles davis easter as I heard that as soon as you played the voicing the first time but thought oh well maybe its just similar haha

[@jamesg3475]

Sweet music to my ears...&...hands...thanks for the overview and your time and efforts to share....AND Adam....thanks for music without an agenda. (Because what a perversion of the beauty of music that would be😥). A beautiful explanation and introduction to the magnificence of sound. Thankyou 😉

[@777leviandades]

lovely, thanks for this

[@craiglacour8887]

The best Jazz Channel to me.

[@jelani2369]

I just love this channel.

[@Keyano_keys]

I've been trying to work on quartal voicings. Thanks for the video

[@lancejones6465]

First class video - thank you

[@88KeysMan]

Great lesson!

[@hlpianin]

Thank you very much, its very useful and interesting material for me!

[@user-sg5jg6eh9c]

Great master Adam!!!! THANKS A LOT!!!!!😊😊😊😊

[@skattman11]

this guy is great ... proposing nice exercises and patterns ... thanks Mr. Gregg

[@dragolov]

Thank you, Maestro!

[@paulward1586]

Adam, great content and beautifully and hilariously presented. One thing I love about your playing is your touch on these chords - very strongly, uniformly played. Adds to the strength and vibe of the chords!

[@reggaefan2700]

Hello Open Studios. If you're playing the 9, can the chord still be viewed as a 7th? Isn't it a 9th chord at this point?

[@Marc.22.]

@@reggaefan2700 Yes, but when writing chord names and symbols in a tune, if the extension (9th, 11th, 13th) isn't essential to the sound, we don't write it down. This way it can be read faster and the player can decide which extensions and alterations to play.

[@duhrab]

Amazing, thank you

[@RalphBrooker-gn9iv]

Open Studio. Such an excellent on line source.

[@cburns3256]

Great stuff !!

[@rumpelRAINS]

Great video!

[@d8gk35d2s]

Great lesson! Thank you! Nice ear training too for a guitarist ;) Thanks for arpeggiating

[@stmserio]

Love the polychord aspect to each chord … thanks Adam 👍

[@uryic000]

Awesome thank you

[@dpwaldman3145]

This video is hitting me like a lightning bolt from music heaven! What a great bridge of concepts to inspire forward commitment and joy!

[@reggaefan2700]

Hello Open Studios. If you're playing the 9, can the chord still be viewed as a 7th? Isn't it a 9th chord at this point?

[@paulrhodesquinn]

Love this! I like to think of these diminished voicings as a 7th with b9 so for the Diminished 7 starting on Eb in the bass - I'm thinking of that as the b9 of with D7 on top (bottom up - b9 5 R 3 b7) so D7 with the b9 on the bottom if that makes sense, then transposed up in minor 3rds. Helps me to see the notes better! 🎹😀

[@reggaefan2700]

Hello Open Studios. If you're playing the 9, can the chord still be viewed as a 7th? Isn't it a 9th chord at this point?

[@stevezap1747]

Thanks!

[@jefframey9561]

Love your vids, and this channel

[@OpenStudioJazz]

Thanks so much!

[@gestor2008]

Fabulous!!!

[@barryoverstreet4876]

Not only is this great content, but everybody KNOWS Cookie Monster is the coolest motherplucker on the fanet...... Janet. Love it! ❤🎉😊

[@deaconblues3964]

This was great IMO!

[@Dano62680]

About the diminished chord and it's 3 other shapes: As seen in the video... you can create a new diminished chord using any note of the chord as bass. For example, a diminished chord starting on C. Form another starting on E flat. Form another starting on G flat, Form another starting on A.

[@sammusic7537]

13:50 because a diminished chord is symmetrical in four ways and there are (at least) 4 different keys where you can play the same diminished chord instead of a dominant chord, you can always play the root note of the dominant chord of the key where you are in, with the diminished chord. And you can do that in four keys so that’s why you can play 4 different voicings of the same diminished chord. Is that a good explanation?

[@makistudio1592]

gooood, thx for that!

[@johnd.4536]

C half diminished (Eb mi6 with 6th in bass) is an Ab 7 add 9 with 3rd in bass or Dalt with 7th in bass. Add F natural 1/2 step below Gb makes an Eb mi 6/9 with 6th in bass which is a 5 note voicing which can be played with all 5 fingers of one hand. Played chromatically descending alternates a 7th #11 and an Alt chord in circle of fourths or ascending in circle of fifths.

[@kilogreene8738]

Both of my Jazz piano and jazz theory courses took place at the height of the pandemic and lockdown so when we covered these chords I was never able to get the context that they're rootless lol the root pedal tone trick was all i needed to actually here these chords properly 😂

[@mobychuck]

I haven't read all the comments, but as far as I scrolled down I didn't see anyone commenting on your fingering the left hand voicings with your 5th and 2nd fingers. Perhaps that's because you want your thumb available for three-note voicings in your left hand. I've found it handy to have both 2 and 3-note LH quartal-based voicings in my tool kit. Love your videos, whether solo or with Peter Martin. Keep them coming.

[@billyromanos]

Good stuff Adam

[@OpenStudioJazz]

Thank you!

[@ericsabo9887]

Yes! Can you do a similar video with your go-to L.H. only rootless voicings please! This is so clear and concise. TYVM!

[@reggaefan2700]

Hello Open Studios. If you're playing the 9, can the chord still be viewed as a 7th? Isn't it a 9th chord at this point?

[@Erschophone]

@@reggaefan2700 You certainly are insistant with your silly question!

[@reggaefan2700]

@@Erschophone What silly question was that?

[@frequencymanipulator]

Can we take a moment to appreciate the quality content, WITH PDF, with only a mild request to explore paid services? I found you guys on the shorts, but I am now back practising my skills. If I were to pay for some extra content, I'm sure I would look to you guys first.

[@maloneycraig]

I like that emotion in motion funk version in the background.

[@OpenStudioJazz]

That's an on-the-fly Peter Martin original arrangement btw

[@brendaboykin3281]

Thanks,Maestro😎

[@OpenStudioJazz]

Any time!

[@markfeatherstone9365]

This stuff is a bit beyond me… but I know it’s gold.. sounds so nice thanks

[@MrFedemoral]

the humor leveled up a lot your vids adam!, more enjoyable than ever

[@lawrencetaylor4101]

Merci for this.

[@OpenStudioJazz]

You're welcome!

[@johncostigan6160]

Diminished chords are "Symmetrical"! They rotate nicely. Thanks for the pdf Adam, I'm going to inject it into my DNA. NOTE: I saw Mccoy Tyner twice and he didn't play any of these chords; He played ALL of them!

[@tylerburch8249]

a code to interpret midi and output animating the keys onscreen would help musicians who are less familiar with written notation (many are, especially amateurs and children). i have other ideas for your videos' graphics, but i really appreciate your channel's no-nonsense style of teaching music. expanding your audience to include more variety of musicians would be my biggest suggestion, and i'd love to help out if you'd like.

[@gabrielmirandamartinez8451]

Great!

[@Observation001]

Awesome lesson!! I’m going to eat some cookies and practice!🍪🎶

[@bsorryrthatsit7055]

I'm on guitar and liked this lesson.

[@geraldmorganjr.4927]

The diminished voicings are technically a dominant 7 flat mine with a different bass note. Ex. The Bb dim was a C7 with a flat 9 with a Bb in the bass. C7b9/Bb

[@Jack-fs2im]

this vid is a keep.thanx

[@colinpang15]

In Diminishedland, ˚7th chords minor thirds apart are inversions of each other.

[@catalystdrums123]

I love these voicings. Thanks for sharing the PDF. I noticed though that the PDF has sharp 5's notited as flat 6's much of the time, and sharp 9's as minor 3rds. Thats pretty confusing, although it might make the reading easier.

[@mem1gui]

My jazz teacher always had issues with "#5" in charts, that it should really be b13 most of the time. I agree that #9 should be notated #9. IMHO, they should be notated functionally. b6 and b3 as you mention are probably because of the software used, unfortunately.

[@tetraqartet6798]

As soon as I heard the Dominant7alt. I thought of Tyner's sound on Wise One (Crescent album) after min.3 approx. when the rubato cadenza ends and He starts that middle tempo, those chords building such a gradual tension... that's the sound... amazing!

[@MAYNOR82]

And as soon as I heard the first one I thought Miles! It’s amazing how certain sounds belong to certain masters.

[@davidblanc458]

lucky me I wondered what it was for yrs. I know 6/9 chords but not in that open fourth order, never could guess by ear how it sounded so idk "Vegas in the 1960's" like. So thanks a lot! edit: also min 7 in open fourths is like old TV shows like hawaii five-o if I'm right

[@gustavogastelum9024]

I loved this lesson. Really appreciated. For me are advanced not cookie cutters at all 😅.Besides the beautiful sounding voicings mostly created in fourth etc, is there any reason why the minor ones are the only containing the root?

[@OpenStudioJazz]

No real reason other than that was the structure I chose for the minor7th. Thanks!

[@georgesember9069]

I’ll try to use these, with some adjustments, on guitar.

[@TheNemesisProject]

Great video! I’ve been a classical / rock keyboardist most of my life and just recently getting into jazz. Beautifully explained and has helped me tremendously. Thank you!

[@CharlesAustin]

Pentatonics every other note .. G pent/C etc..Gbpent/C7 etc.. awesome outline ..

[@tyronnhamilton254]

Excellent video and I agree.. thanks for the enlightenment… What was the name of the second example at the beginning of this video?

[@OpenStudioJazz]

That was Miles Davis' "Solar". Thanks for watching.

[@ganjarulez009]

The bill evans „so what“ voicing :D

[@OpenStudioJazz]

Exactly

[@kaldenorr-bills5506]

4:25 as a guitarist, i felt that

[@kojoamponsahefah7027]

That chord structure is called So What chords. From Miles Davis So What

[@kojoamponsahefah7027]

Structure is 3 4ths and a 3rd on the top. Similar to quartal voicing

[@milo5147]

With the diminished inversions he is always using the fourth of the second note from low to high. It is whole-half scale harmonization

[@rogerball6265]

As a guitarist is great to see how a pianist looks at these chords. Opens doors ....

[@theteetones]

To answer your questions... not sure about this but would you call those chords "modal" voicings? The other question I would probably say it was moving up by minor 3rds? Probably wrong on both but gave it a try haha.