Jazz Guitar Chords: Unlock Hundreds of Voicings From THREE Easy Shapes!

[@FretDojo]

- Get the PDF + backing Tracks for this lesson here: bit.ly/3hNPpqT - And check out my FREE 3 ebook bundle here: bit.ly/3zfqFh6

[@michaelcharlesbulla8926]

In

[@owenbanda7569]

In

[@rhabdob3895]

This is the first jazz lesson that didn’t make me feel stupid for not already knowing jazz. Thanks!

[@FretDojo]

Love to help! Glad you found the courage to try something new

[@TbirdMan]

I was a photography instructor for 33 years until I retired several years ago. I know good teaching when I see it and you're it. Some of these guys who just play along (at full tempo) and 'say' the chord or play the melody - that's useless if you don't know how an A# flat 9 half diminished with a cherry on top...is played. I first found your A Train video and found the tabs, chords, etc. very easy to follow...for an old man learning jazz guitar. Please keep doing what you are doing.

[@FretDojo]

Much appreciated Tim! Enjoy!

[@dubchile]

Ta Tim, you just saved me a heckuvalot of typing. I couldn't agree with ye more. After just one watch I now know 100+ chord voicings in one foul swoop.. Some of which I've been playing since the 80's (namely, a track called 'Dis And Dat/ 🤔') and only just learnt what they are in the past 15 minutes!

[@TbirdMan]

@@dubchile Another angle is the student who has not, for whatever reason, played a guitar for a very long time. I was plodding along, going nowhere until I did some of the pieces at this site - now I'm learning and playing at a much higher level. Also, I have picked up some tools that will translate to a wide range of music with a jazz subtext. Carry on, Easy.

[@spivvo]

As another older guy (that spent years explaining the complxities of the global bond market to clients) and is now retired and attempting to play jazz….…. I second all of that! Sub….. scrrrrrrrrr…. Ibed!

[@TbirdMan]

@spivvo In the 2 yrs. that passed since I posted that, I fell and badly injured my left wrist. In the recovery period , I found that I could manage a piano keyboard and find that helps quite a bit in understanding some of the underlying theory of guitar playing...especially in stringing together notes of a melody line. Cheers,

[@vincentdinatale6962]

This is an excellent example of a COMPLETE lesson! Delivered by a competent musician AND teacher! KUDOS!

[@danielheppner188]

Finally! A jazz guitar video that made some sense! Good work, thanks

[@FretDojo]

Glad you found it useful Daniel!

[@jomerapachecha6031]

The technical instruction and demonstration of clamping finger on each jazz chords is so nice. I am just learning how to play jazz guitar.

[@jasonkesser]

Really glad I found you, I think thanks to Jens. Your method is the best method. It’s taken me 30 years to get to the point where I can clearly build my own chords. If I’d had this from the start it would have been different. Please keep going. I think all your lessons I’ve seen are so far smashing. But if you build up chords in lessons, note for note, you’ll be doing something really unique. When people call out notes of chords, they’ll say the note (who cares what note it is) or the position. We need intervals, not notes. Your tone, style, and pace is super classy when you’re speaking as well my dude, and compliments what you’re doing. Excellent. My first real break through was when building chords, let’s say on the sixth string, I’d say ‘well fifth string would probably have my five. My major three lives here too. My sevenths live on my fourth string, also a major sixth. On the third string lives my…’ and so on. Your videos help strengthen this strategy. I have yet to do it going backwards, like taking a fourth string root and building back towards the lower strings. Cheers teach, and thank you.

[@alfonsotenreiro9388]

Best Jazz guitar lesson I've seen!!!! There are many amazing guitarists but very few can teach. You're an amazing instructor and I'm sure an amazing performer as well. Thanks!!!

[@FretDojo]

Thanks so much for your kind words Alfonso, much appreciated! Glad you enjoyed this lesson :)

[@ayeleraberra4338]

I agree!

[@sambadonald5504]

yes I do Sri

[@erlingwesth7055]

Hi Greg, Thanks for your very inspiring and easy-to-understand teaching. I have spent many years with my guitar, but youbring new ideas to me. So great!

[@josephbusuttil3030]

As a rocker & middle of the road to ballad musician I have found this introduction to using Jazz chords to colour up my chord selections to my compositions very very helpful. Thank you for demystifying the Jazz Chords & helping me to understanding them in a very practical way that I will definitely be using in the future. Joe from Tasmania

[@FretDojo]

Thanks so much for the kind words Joe! Glad it was useful to you!

[@dr123hall]

Voicing, mood, flow - key breakdown clearly explained and demonstrated using your simple dom, maj, min chord examples! Bravo!

[@marc_leblanc]

I've been slowly adding some jazz flavors to my playing - this is super useful. I love your teaching method as well!

[@eloisepickard9035]

Thanks!

[@FretDojo]

Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@paulbillingham6769]

There is such a wealth of information in this lesson and given in an easily assimilated manner. Great job !

[@FretDojo]

The fun part is trying to assimilate all of it into the brain 😅

[@robins8135]

As a complete newcomer to jazz guitar I have been alternatey impressed/depressed by Gregg's lessons for several years. This is one of the best/most encouraging I have watched.

[@henryfaulkner6051]

Great Video...thanks so very much..!

[@Chimp_No_1]

Incredibly interesting and helpful ! Thank you for sharing !

[@FretDojo]

Glad it was helpful!

[@raycharsley]

Very helpful, thank you

[@FretDojo]

Glad it was helpful!

[@tboyz1]

This is what I take away from this excellent lesson - Shell voicings plus added 5 7 #9 for color, altered dominant for tension - stuff that I can understand and apply thank you 🙌🔥🔥🔥

[@FretDojo]

Glad you found it helpful! Yes, those notes can be added but the 9 11 13 are often thought of as 'color', with b9/#9 & b5/b13 creating the most tension. The 7 is already in the shell voicing and the 5 doesn't change the sound so much as it 'fills it out' a bit. Unless of course, it's altered or you're talking about a diminished/min7b5!

[@tboyz1]

@@FretDojo Wow 👍

[@alfredbellanti3755]

I can tell you right now Greg, this has added a geat dimension to my playing of jazz chords. ✔

[@ChristianRobinson]

excellent teaching. Thank you.

[@henryfaulkner6051]

I am an older player mostly played Country music and sixties rock...My first Jazz experience was the Great Howard Roberts...And I was kinda hooked...I have in the last few Years got into Gypsy Jazz...lots of listening and not playing as I am layed up

[@LuvhandleR]

Great lesson and a very friendly teaching style. I subscribed and look forward to more great lessons. Thanks!

[@nickowen1480]

Greg - Found the use of colours for the 3 chord types certainly aided my understanding . Thanks mate

[@backpackerway8533]

Excellent video as i get into jazz , really clear perfectly done ! Thanks dude for the work of this video and to share that , god bless !

[@FretDojo]

My pleasure. One step at a time and enjoy the process!

[@seongbinchoi917]

You are the best man! Subscribed right away

[@FretDojo]

Thanks very much Seongbin - I appreciate you!

[@rickjensen2717]

Great content. You are a really first class teacher Greg 👏👍

[@jaenalalianggara94]

Tnks u mr 🙏🙏🙏

[@cliftonjarvis8010]

Great jazz music is the best

[@buzzsears2588]

Awesome Lesson

[@juliamckechnie256]

Thanks, very easy to understand.

[@gwag8410]

I’m a new subscriber, I love your teaching style, thank you for sharing..

[@phillipnorman7423]

Very useful, ta fella.

[@FretDojo]

Glad it helped. Have fun with it!

[@waynecristaudo7220]

Fantastic lesson

[@EngRMP]

Wonderful. Straight forward but very informative. Thanks so much...

[@robertpritchard5010]

Fab lesson! Learned a huge amount…thanks! Wonderful teaching style! Bobelvis

[@FretDojo]

Rock on! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@farhadamiri647]

You are awesome teacher 👌

[@FretDojo]

I am very humbled by your kind feedback Farhad :)

[@bobtaylor170]

Terrific video. Thank you.

[@lushkordz6643]

i dont' know why ? but this dude makes me feel good about chords 🤓

[@theetea5961]

Thanks a lot I'm try now

[@donrichard7923]

Great system!

[@FretDojo]

Thanks! Hope you get some good use out of it!

[@asfasdfadf9820]

wonderful!

[@FretDojo]

Glad you think so!

[@hphughes5858]

Not to be picky, but wasn't that last chord Gmi6??? Love your presentation. I'm gonna check out more. oops

[@Doones51]

Great teaching. Thanks for taking it slow on us jazz newbies. This explanation is very clear and concise and the finest teaching i have seen on jazz. i am retired and watch guitar instruction videos all the time and this is the most helpful one i have seen. I think your likes are going to go way up when you get more exposure on YT.

[@FretDojo]

Thank you so much and I'm thrilled that you were able to get something out of this lesson. If you like our style of teaching please visit us at FretDojo.com and consider joining us as a member in the Academy. There's a LOT of lessons, masterclasses, tune lessons and more available there!

[@steveparkins6854]

Greetings from Perth Greg-🙏 Thanks for demystifying jazz for us-and in such a great teaching and laymans style--excellent stuff, ill certainly be getting your course

[@peterprice6365]

Really a nice approach.. I will spend some time then maybe sign up

[@FretDojo]

Thanks for watching. Please do give the FretDojo Academy a try!

[@gallp13]

Marvellous lesson. Thamkyou

[@FretDojo]

Thanks so much - glad you enjoyed!

[@motorbike650]

Just the sound I've been looking for! thanks.. only I can't move my pinky like you did..it seems to not want to leave my ring finger

[@raulenriquemoya6292]

O’Rourke さま，どもありがとうございます．あなたはとても良いギターの先生です

[@taaslie9906]

Nice jazz lesson👍

[@FretDojo]

Thanks so much!

[@beachedbum8682]

Great Video. I used to be a metal-head and I am thinking I want to learn some smooth jazz guitar. I am looking for a more suitable guitar- I think I want an acoustic/electric that plays like a well set-up electric, if that makes sense. What model is that Ibanez you're playing? I tend to like wide fretboards so I have more room to cram my fingers in on those tight chords, Thanks!

[@FretDojo]

My assistant instructor Vin is also coming from the rock and metal world. I know he's taking a liking to some of the D'Angelico's As for me, I'm using an Ibanez AKJV90D. Plays like a dream!

[@gregoryolsen4509]

Good advice there, Greg! 🙂

[@isolateddemon9438]

Great content sir.I am a metal guitar player but,I wanna spice things up you know🤘🏻

[@GuitaristPranav]

Its amazing 😍😍👍👍👍

[@ckinc89]

As most others had put them gud positive comment.... SURE do me..... ITS' among A good one💪 🙏🙏🙏tq for sharing.

[@dananthony6258]

I remember the Joe Pass Hotlicks video that used to be on KZbin. There was so much info in it.

[@concretecullen]

Thank you

[@FretDojo]

You're welcome Paul - thanks for watching!

[@michaelvarney.]

I like doing the Am with the thumb over. Gives me three fingers to add extensions.

[@FretDojo]

There are definitely times when that's the best approach!

[@marcgreene6343]

Excellent lesson!

[@timopeedu6077]

Thank you very much!

[@allenmorgan]

Thanks for a lesson that left me thinking "I can do this" rather than I've got an impossible mountain to climb.

[@FretDojo]

You're very welcome!

[@gunwookim4047]

ah i never knew about the finger 2/3 barre, thanks.

[@FretDojo]

You're welcome. Glad you found it useful!

[@commanderdawson3773]

Great lesson

[@badscrew4023]

Very useful

[@johnnymakoc1094]

Thank you so much. So clever teaching Jazz simplified. Truly appreciate your video. How do I get back tracks to practice

[@FretDojo]

Thanks Johnny, Get the PDF + backing Tracks for this lesson here: bit.ly/3hNPpqT And check out my FREE 3 ebook bundle here: bit.ly/3zfqFh6

[@ronkean3398]

I got the 6th, thanks

[@leandroviegas7917]

muy buen video!! que guitarra es la que usas?

[@병연전-p1y]

..GOD BLESSYOU .. THANKYOU SO MUCH .. 감사합니다 .. AMAN .. .. 아멘 .. .. 감사합니다 .. .. 감사함으로 받으면 버릴것이 없나니 .. 아멘 .. AMAN ..

[@nigelhajjar]

Wonderful Many Thanks.New Sub.

[@robertscoggin]

As professional guitarist with limited theory who plays lots of standards mostly by ear, I often decide on a minor 7 b 5 when a minor 7 doesn't sound like enough and a dim. sounds like too much. Works for me. (Sometimes lol)

[@conartist267]

Really great simple lesson

[@theWARMJET]

Excelente

[@michaelvarney.]

What is interesting is that the G6 chord is an inversion of Em7… so would Joe Pass call that part of the major, or minor family? I guess it depends on the context of the music and how it functions more than the notes played… but I guess that means chords can have different functions and thus the same grouping of notes can belong to any of the three families depending on context

[@FretDojo]

Great observation and yes, I imagine he named them based on their function.

[@miochemannetje7801]

Nice guitar you have! Is that an older model Ibanez Emperor?

[@FretDojo]

Hi! It's an Ibanez Artcore Expressionist

[@deHelli]

Hi, what is this for a Ibanez Guitar? which Model

[@FretDojo]

Sorry, don't understand your question!?

[@deHelli]

@@FretDojo Which Ibanez guitar is that you are playing in the video?

[@FretDojo]

@@deHelli that is an AKJV90D. Sounds and plays great!

[@deHelli]

@@FretDojo thank you 🙏

[@refusedone]

nice lesson thank you! what model ibanez is that?

[@gustavochiozza6465]

Hi. Thanks for your lesson. It is very helpful for me. May I ask you a question? I find that in minute 21:23 you write Gm7 but you are playing Gm6, am I wrong?

[@Arycke]

No, you're not wrong. It's not Gm7.

[@Vanlalsiama-g6f]

Good

[@cliffbungalow9373]

Jazz guy plays thousands of chords to three people Rock n roll guy plays three chords to thousands of people

[@MS-Patriot2]

I’d forgotten that nugget 🤣. Rock player who loves jazz.... 🧐🤟

[@jodyguilbeaux8225]

haaaaaaaaa, so true indeed. hard rockers that i know, dont have a clue of music theory or jazz harmony. they can wail that loud guitar, but there creativity is very limited and there is no musical growth.= their boxed in.

[@townbeach3604]

Oy, mate, Boston,, thanks!!! Vegimity

[@rashidrani2333]

Hi Greg, do i get this lesson and more if i join your online class? Tq

[@FretDojo]

Yes you get a full comprehensive program on all jazz guitar topics, including this one by joining my online jazz guitar classes.

[@chrisparkin9947]

What about dim and aug chords? They are types of chords too.

[@josephgonzalez9522]

The first cord is using the b7 not 7??

[@FretDojo]

I think you're referring to the Am7, the first chord featured in the video? Yes, that would be a b7!

[@Joseph124269]

One thing I can not understand as a new jazz learner, if it’s in the key of G why does the progression start with Am7? It’s different in classical or pop music at list on the keyboard. If the song is in the key of G should it start in G?

[@FretDojo]

Many jazz standards do start on the I chord, but this practice is for ii V I(i) progressions which are extremely common in jazz. Hope that helps!

[@rcthailandbasic9734]

🤘🤘

[@timchurchill6975]

what scale would you use for soloing

[@FretDojo]

Hi Tim, I reckon have a look at this video for a good start with scales for jazz: kzbin.info/www/bejne/poincnmveKaDd6s

[@MS-Patriot2]

Play what you hear in your head, scales become restrictive and beginners obsess about them. ......if you play a bum note, just repeat it and the audience will think it was intentional...... that’s jazzz

[@myvid222]

21:25 is not Gm7 - you have G Bb D E, you need F instead of E

[@Patrick_Bruno]

Nice. Thank you. Yet, this is not really sufficient to play any progression, as one would need also the chords where the root of the ii and I are played on 5th string, and the root of V played on 6th string.

[@FretDojo]

Yes this is only bare bones.The other shapes would be needed to not have to traverse the neck as much and for smoother voice leading for sure

[@RaKanMusik]

Five fingers, you can of course use your thumb as well.

[@sambadonald5504]

hi

[@ClarkdeLeon]

5th fret 6 string is A same as open string on 5th string ??? why bar it?

[@FretDojo]

You can and sometimes will do that if you're playing an 'A' chord of some type, but these shapes are moveable of course and you wouldn't want that open A for other chords. Plus, for rhythmic/muting reasons.

[@jodyguilbeaux8225]

the dominant 7th is = to the flat 7th, not the natural 7th. the natural 7th belongs to the major family, like the I OR 4 chord of the diatonic scale. i understand what your saying or meaning, but the diagram is labeled wrong. just saying

[@drsamgm]

Guitar instructors need to name the fingers- index, middle, ring, little or pinky. Reference Hand Surgery Society 8:47

[@EazyDoor]

Makes sense in case of blind person. But if you otherwise see his fingers why does he need to?

[@lucyfuir6386]

I'm lucky I guess my hands are big so I can bar 2 strings with just my finger tip I play a lot of chords that way

[@roxythebassman]

M

[@lightningrt434]

Father Dougal.

[@gg-dw1yq]

there is nothing easy with jazz chords ... seriously massive finger pretzel chords !

[@FretDojo]

haha maybe, it definitely takes practice!

[@rjlchristie]

Your description of the system confuses terminology in regard to chord type, you conflate it with chord function. You are correct to describe major and minor as chord types, and the terms don't necessarily describe function nor define their roots in a diatonic key. However dominant is not descriptive of a chord type, when referring to a chord it is only descriptive of the position of a chord's root note. Same as the words tonic, mediant etc However, SEVENTH chords of the dominant, by virtue of their uniqueness within each key of the diatonic key system, are chords that are strongly functional (in this case requiring resolution), and along with their resolution serve to define both a key and their position within it . It is therefore often helpful, as your system does, to consider them as a group, in terms of their function and construction. Summary: There are not three chord types: major minor and dominant. There are four basic types: major, minor, diminished and augmented. Others types, such as those known as altered, are less common. SEVENTH chords of the dominant are so highly and uniquely functional, that they can be regarded as a functional family, particularly for the practical reasons required in anyone's jazz chord repertoire. Finally, extensions can be added to any of the chord types according to convention.

[@Discrimination_is_not_a_right]

You know he's keeping it simple, right?

[@rjlchristie]

@@Discrimination_is_not_a_right Sure, keeping things basic is fine but inaccurate definitions can lead to misconceptions.

[@Frugmusic]

A C9 what⁉️

[@roccodinosantino1474]

20 minutes this guy sits on one chord