5 Easy Jazz Piano Chords That Sound Great

Download the free PDF worksheet: openstudiojazz.link/5chordsPDF
Want to play great sounding jazz piano chords?
Great news! You DON’T have to first learn jazz theory to play fantastic sounding jazz chords. In fact, it can confuse and frustrate you if you dive first into the treacherous world of jazz theory.
There’s lots of videos, blog posts, and teaching online that will show you the basic root position ‘jazz’ piano chords, but these generally sound corny.
So how about we learn to play some great sounding, easy jazz chords, and we’ll catch the theory along the way as needed.
Ready? Check out: openstudiojazz.link/5chordsPDF
Unlock your FREE Open Studio trial to become a better player today → osjazz.link/trial

[@Daijakake]

I love the way he does the thumbs up 😂 cracked me up every time. Now I can’t listen to a root chord without his thumbs

[@paulinekerubo3350]

Thanks for the video content! Sorry for chiming in, I would appreciate your opinion. Have you heard the talk about - Riddleagan Smart Hands Remedy (probably on Google)? It is a great one of a kind guide for learning piano fast minus the hard work. Ive heard some interesting things about it and my old buddy Taylor after many years got excellent results with it. That sound is great

[@maduroholdings]

Yeah it's silly and funny

[@jeh2059]

0:50 - Cmaj7 2:07 - CM7 3:24 - C7 4:40 - C7#11 5:20 - C7#9

[@sus-kupp]

Make sure you use a lowercase m when writing a minor 7.

[@xyshomavazax]

This is the most practical jazz piano video I’ve seen in a while. I’m IMPRISONED by root position voicings, and have a real hard time letting go of the “power chord” left hand. This is going to really break me out of some Billy Joel habits. THANK YOU!

[@oribagel]

my old piano teacher told me about root, shell, pretty, and I completely forgot about it until now. helpful reminder

[@dankruvand4937]

What, you talking to me? I took this one personally, since I'm one who defaults to the root/triad chords too often. Thanks Peter for reaching back to us beginners on this one. Seven big gold stars!

[@ericpmitchell]

Great lesson, thanks Peter. My chords have been root position to date, I recognized the need to move away, but didn't know where to go. Really appreciate the lessons!

[@Superdelphinus]

Root shell pretty sounds like something a quarterback would shout in the huddle.

[@matthijsdeligt809]

the greatest results that i've had was by following the Denelle Piano Lesson (i found it on google) definately the best method i've tried.

[@patriciaanton7550]

There are several things for how to learn piano Try practicing about 1 hour every day, or 30 minutes if you short of time. Do more practice whenever you can. For example, on weekends you can do more than an hour, perhaps two or three, or even more. This is useful because it pulls you out of the routine of piano playing, and lets you practice more and perfects the pieces you play. (I read about these and more from Denelle Piano Lesson site )

[@trustrus0382]

Kudos for the video content! Forgive me for the intrusion, I would love your initial thoughts. Have you heard the talk about - Riddleagan Smart Hands Remedy (Sure I saw it on Google)? It is a smashing exclusive guide for learning piano fast minus the hard work. Ive heard some decent things about it and my work buddy finally got amazing success with it.

[@ileardgz7691]

Great Video! Forgive me for the intrusion, I would love your initial thoughts. Have you heard about - Vaniam Tonatthew Formula (should be on google have a look)? It is an awesome exclusive product for getting rid of your rotator cuff pain without the headache. Ive heard some pretty good things about it and my old buddy Taylor got excellent success with it.

[@Valentina_-lw9ui]

Cheers for this, I been tryin to find out about "how do you play chords on the piano" for a while now, and I think this has helped. Ever heard of - Nonason Ranincoln Genie - (Have a quick look on google cant remember the place now )? It is an awesome one off guide for discovering how to play the piano like a pro without the normal expense. Ive heard some interesting things about it and my cousin got cool results with it.

[@jesuswept2718]

My goodness you've put so much effort into your free pdf .. i just can't ... YOU are totally awesome. You've made my world a better place today my brother. Thank you so much.

[@seiph80]

Running to my keyboard now... love it! Thanks!

[@keyofbrink810]

Another dope lesson lesson!! Thanks

[@rufs6468]

Just discovered Open Studio (Peter's videos) and you really come into your own level of how well you teach here. Gotta thank you because sometimes there's concepts I don't understand at home without my music teacher! The video was informative and entertaining, unlike many other videos covering the same topic.

[@rajmusiclearning]

You made it very simple, crisp, fine and beautiful. This session really has a lot of ingredients in to to cherish. Thankyou so much.

[@CrowClouds]

My favorite jazz channel, favorite teachers! Pretty notes! Root, shell, pretty notes. Makes sense

[@eugenestockstill7162]

THANK YOU for all your teaching!

[@Alex-mw9un]

YES. Thank you. More videos like this please. Too much theory to amateurs (like me) goes in one ear and out the other. Very grateful for videos like these.

[@noi5emaker]

It seems so hard to break away from classical/rock/pop playing to get into the good Jazz stuff, but this helps a lot. Thanks Peter!

[@jesuswept2718]

Beautiful my friend. Love hanging round with you guys since i got my piano 5 days ago. Very very helpful - totally fulfilling. Thank you.

[@diomaldaleyreyamaximotalen323]

Excellent teacher. Blessings and success.

[@michaelengland7228]

This is excellent he packs so much into the lesson. I also like how he showed us how to practise this. Can't wait to try it on nearness of you. Thanks a million.

[@noahbinford5412]

Great video. Makes complicated things real accessible. Thank you for this

[@paulamoore5257]

Thanks! You saved my musical life!

[@rodcoombes8711]

Great lesson clear concise and well explained for jazz beginners like me.Thanks.

[@andrewwright6893]

Brilliant lesson. Thanks very much

[@agenturconbravura9091]

The best Channel I have ever seen to make Jazz Tutorials! Great work!

[@arkantika3927]

i really love your lessons. thank you so much!

[@adolphnaimo6539]

I really love piano. :)

[@jesuswept2718]

I've been playing guitar for over 40 years and since i bought my piano 5 days ago i'm in love with life again. So nice to see you feel the same. Also, meeting these piano KZbinrs, both teachers and commenters my life is now full of beautiful people - where have i been lol. Anyway, better late than never. All the best.

[@brittanyainsworth9307]

Appreciate Video clip! Apologies for chiming in, I would love your initial thoughts. Have you considered - Riddleagan Smart Hands Remedy (erm, check it on google should be there)? It is a smashing exclusive product for learning piano fast minus the headache. Ive heard some decent things about it and my friend Sam after a lifetime of fighting got amazing results with it.

[@neoadviser8056]

Appreciate Video clip! Forgive me for chiming in, I would appreciate your opinion. Have you tried - Riddleagan Smart Hands Remedy (erm, check it on google should be there)? It is a good exclusive product for learning piano fast without the hard work. Ive heard some decent things about it and my work buddy finally got cool success with it.

[@saschah4999]

@Russo-Online wtf i don’t get the joke

[@felixthefolf9325]

onaiP

[@kalinamasash1137]

Just good for me . First sound was so perfect for my feelings I stayed with You -Thank You Greetings from Poland .

[@promisenkhono3449]

Love this, thank you so much✨⚡️

[@NeillWylie]

As a beginner, this root, shell pretty helped me understand so much! Thanks for this video. What a top lad.

[@geraldadams9528]

Thanks for the great teaching.

[@helloween76]

I love your videos!

[@mangdiddlesDOTcom]

I've been searching for an online piano teacher for years. You're the one.

[@PIANOSTYLE100]

This.channel.is great.

[@clairemartin2202]

Loved that, so helpful!!!! Thank you x

[@shanesweeney517]

love it brother

[@angelpiano]

Well explained, thank you.

[@klaytonvonkluge4905]

This is a great lesson helped me out immensely

[@Fretliner]

Great video, thanks for sharing!

[@FirstnameLastname-xi5hh]

I have learned a lot online from some great pianists but you are something else. A thousand thank yous. I'll buy one of your courses.

[@scottm4267]

Good, and (new to me) concepts, well presented. Thank you

[@Hi-xs7wm]

I Looove it.Thank you

[@erikkihss]

This is a great lesson, but I also think that for beginning jazz students a thorough knowledge of intervals up to 13 and how to build chords in 3rds and their inversions (too often dismissed by modern teachers as "corny") is essential in understanding and hearing the basic sound of these chords.

[@pickinstone]

I've thought of this as an amateur jazz guitarist building up my piano skills. In the beginning stages of learning an instrument (and, unfortunately, the later stages for a lot of us), we often forget the primacy of sound. We think in terms of theory first and only. What intervals, what chord type. After 13+ years of in depth ear training (it takes a lifetime to really understand all the intricacies of how we process and use sound in any musical context) I've found out that voicing matters A LOT. I was listening to a Begonzi lesson the other night and he said, verbatim, "the voicing of the harmony directly effects how I hear the improvised line". When you crunch your voicings into thirds all the time, you limit the tonal palette that you project. These voicings that Peter demonstrates will make most soloists happy, blindly crunching thirds all the time might get you thrown off the bandstand. Sound over theory--theory is important, but SOUND has to guide theory (not vice versa). As Peter and Adam always say, "LISTEN." Mr. Spaceman, signing off :)

[@asukalangleysoryu6695]

@@pickinstone I don't get why you and Peter are building this juxtaposition of "sound vs theory". Sound IS theory, man. Music theory is the science of what sounds good. You are making it sound like music theory only considers root position chords built of triads. What? The whole concept of a "voicing" is a *music theory term.* My guess is that you mean "basic music theory vs SOUND" but that "sound" IS what advanced music theory is.

[@pickinstone]

@@asukalangleysoryu6695 I don't think I said that it was either or. If I did, I communicated the idea poorly--that was my error. My frustration stems from learning a bunch of theory in college and then not being able to readily access it on the band stand. Theory is a building block, but the key is to be able to hear the theory--hear what a iv-7 to bVII7 sounds like. Hear what a minor 9th w/out the 5th sounds like. You can talk a bunch about the explanations, but you need to get those sounds into your head to really put all the theory to work. So I advocate for theory + sound > theory alone. I hope that's more succinct. It's sometimes difficult to communicate concepts over the internet :)

[@asukalangleysoryu6695]

@@pickinstone Oh yeah dude, agree with you 100%. You definetely need to learn to put all that theory to good use, all theory and no practicality is only good for making books lol. And sorry if I came off too aggressive in my last comment

[@pickinstone]

@@asukalangleysoryu6695 No problem. I think that's what Pete and Adam mean with the "Listen" refrain. You learn the theory and you learn how that theory sounds. Finally, you learn to sing the theory you know--that's the final frontier. Then it comes out in your own voice. Easier said than done, but well worth the journey.

[@RalphBrooker-gn9iv]

This has been very helpful. Your colleague gave a related video and Root/Shell/Pretty. I’m currently going through major7 & minor7 with 9th + 11th extensions going through 4ths. I don’t read well being self taught. I have a decent understanding of degrees. But this video has helped and motivated me to read more. Thank you.

[@RickCarr]

very cool lesson and easy to digest!

[@sykhustriggles]

Thanks Peter! You da man homie!

[@MESSENGER-of-JESUS-CHRIST]

Brilliant 👏

[@frederikmikkelsen7394]

Nice man! thank you for sharing your tips :)

[@theodorekorbos2804]

Thank you so very much . I just downloaded the sheet this will really help me out !! Thank you again !! Teddy Korbos!!

[@LuisVillanueva45]

You’re awesome! Thanks for the video.

[@ldelosrios]

Beautiful

[@TR7NQY]

Very helpful.

[@New_in_jazz]

Thank you very much❤

[@johnmc3862]

Good man Peter!

[@mightygyoza719]

dude it's these type of video's I needed when I was in music class ;-;

[@flare2000x]

Good stuff, basic but still sounds good. My favourite sharp 9 voicing is 3-7-#9 in the right hand with bass in the left. Sounds extra juicy with that altered note right on top.

[@MTMusic002]

ATAG_Flare yeah! Jimmy Hendrix liked it to 🤘

[@DodaGarcia]

This is amazing, I've been playing the piano for 10 years and never knew of this technique

[@WE.ARE138]

It was a god send for me, I'm just beginning trying to actually memorize some chords instead of stumbling around by ear. This is a great approach.

[@robertmichalscheck3072]

Cool stuff

[@everythingacoustic6736]

That cm7 in root position 🔥🥵

[@horace7763]

Thanks master

[@brendaboykin3281]

Thanx, Maestro 🌹🌹🌹

[@flexx3368]

Thank you this helped a lot. I play trumpet and I want to learn piano too. Btw I love jazz

[@pedrod.7576]

The little improv as the end was tasteful!

[@lori2787]

Awesome!

[@findus8269]

Love that little thumbs up haha, cracks me up

[@ReaganLopez]

Thank you so much..

[@jasoncole8937]

😂love the thumbs up cuz! Great video thanks a lot 🙏

[@xs10tl1]

These are excellent videos. Just enough talking, good pace and the right length.

[@lawrencetaylor4101]

The only video with virtual emojis. Merci beaucoup.

[@lordviewer7305]

Awesome vídeo

[@user-gc9pu2hk4j]

All chords are great! 1-4 chords are obvious, though very important. 5th chord (with sharp 9) was new for me. Liked it a lot! Thanks!

[@OkonkwoPlaysBass]

The hendrix chord

[@pbenson56fran]

Thank you

[@DanielMorales-qp8rf]

Awesome

[@tedpowers2045]

Good for us rookies. Practical Knowledge. Sweet

[@jhtompkins7671]

i'm a lousy player but I love Peter's teaching because he always says "sounds great, right?" makes me feel like I know what I"m playing...

[@jacobje00]

I wish all piano videos on youtube were like this.

[@swiftla]

Root shell baldy! Cheers Peter! Love all you lot at open studio! 7 stars!

[@swiftla]

@@pianopeter sorry Peter I'd had a beer or two haha loving the lessons and podcast 😁

[@andrewwilliams9580]

Always looks harder than classical. I go as far as to say it is. Glad to have the classical knowledge first. Use it as a base upon which to add all this new jazz stuff.

[@cowparsleyman3809]

Brilliant….

[@jsullivan2112]

To be completely honest it didn't really click why one voicing sounded better than the other position. Not until he broke into the vaudeville and it pretty much became obvious lmao. Now I get it. Great lesson, I'll give these a shot. I do have to say though that once I figured out inversions and voice leading rather than block chords then the keyboard just fell into place for me, so I guess I kinda got it anyways.

[@larsuk9578]

Great video thanks. I like the Root - Shell - Pretty approach. How would it work in a progression though like in a 2-51 as that would make the left hand move a lot. Is it not better to use inversions?

[@weedanwine]

it's generally better to move the hands less so use inversions for sure, you can also try rootless voicings

[@aaronpetronio3158]

nice vidéo! But why did we use the 11th and not the 5th on the second chord?

[@MissysMakeupMagic]

Never have I been so musically enticed to hit the thumbs up on the like button.

[@michaeldunagan8268]

BRILLIANT! In one webpage and one video he has alliwed me to reach jazz piano chording geighr that dozens if oages in ourchase books have. A big help to me is telling me "the why" and the "why not": because "pretty" and no because " boring/commercial/not-jazz".

[@paolofabbroni2707]

Ottimo video 👍🎶👍🎶👍

[@wikibilig339]

Can inversions of Root-Shell-Pretty be used?

[@6u174r808]

I had to give this a thumbs up for some reason.

[@DionteBOOMstudio]

This should be the first video when you type in "Easy Jazz Chords"

[@julissagutierrez1688]

Now it is

[@heatherwhite5191]

Root Shell Pretty has to be a name for a jazz band fo sho.... Thumbs up 😂👍

[@beartoven6116]

1:37 You could easily play the first part of Last Christmas with these chords

[@justinus]

nice voicings

[@jesuswept2718]

I still don't know what voicings are.

[@richardmandy7615]

I love this style..... I’m a jazz lover and real beginner, so it’s good to have something to practice

[@carlosduran5640]

.mchas gracias carlos

[@cali3168]

I get confused with the 'rule' behind chord naming. When I put the first chord in a chord app it shows Cmaj9. Logic shows it as Cmaj7/9 and you're showing it as a Cmaj7. Is there a rule to follow when it comes to how chords are displayed? Thanks for the great lesson.

[@b-turan]

No, there is not common rule. Various notations have been developed and are widely used.

[@valeriedunn2869]

Where do I download your worksheet?

[@DiegoJGorzynski]

Love the thumps up 2:02 lmfao

[@fredericdb4079]

Mind you, at 9:12 , get the point, but it still sounds like a good Beatles song. :)

[@abuslang5715]

i always forget how important voicings are

[@jackgalloway8314]

Root shell noodle aromatherapy definitely

[@taupsi4]

I really need more practice ..😅

[@Hawijack]

If you’re playing a major seventh, and it’s really a ninth shouldn’t you call it a ninth in the first place?

[@richardmandy7615]

I spoke too soon, I was excited to play the 5 great sounding chords, but I can’t physically do it 😢 I have Relatively small hands and shortish fingers, not abnormally so. I have a span of 7 notes at a push.....does any one have any ideas ? I tried playing the last not with my right hand, but that didn’t go well