Jazz Theory in 20 Minutes

🔴 JazzTutorial.com/chord-symbols - Click Here to get my 'Chord Symbol Guide' for Jazz pianists (it's free).
MORE FREE RESOURCES:
JazzTutorial.com/licks - Get my '29 Jazz Piano Licks' sheet music.
jazztutorial.com/riffs - Get '23 Sweet Chord Progressions' (sheet music) for Jazz piano.
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LESSON CHAPTERS:
0:00 Jazz Theory Explained in 20 minutes
0:32 What are Jazz Chords?
2:06 What types of 7th Chord are there?
3:31 How do Chord Extensions work? (9ths, 11ths, 13ths)
5:35 What are altered chord extensions? (b9 #9 #11 b13)
7:16 What are chord voicings?
8:23 What is a 2-5-1 chord progression?
11:06 Are there variations on the 2-5-1 progression?
12:55 What is the minor 2-5-1 chord progression?
16:03 What scales do Jazz musicians play?
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MORE FREE RESOURCES:
🔴 jazztutorial.com/chord-voicin... - Get my 'Chord Voicing Guide' for Jazz Piano.
🔴 jazztutorial.com/drums - Download 10 free 'Play-along Drum Tracks' to bring your repertoire to life.

[@GubaKornel]

Nobody explained me the chord types as you did in this video. I understand them perfectly now. This 20 minutes is unbelievable. Thank you very much.

[@ClarenceFM]

Ikr

[@teflo2]

Agreed!

[@bredda_marcus]

Saves a lot of people a year of pianoclass. :-)

[@abz124816]

Al you have to do is learn this in all 12 keys.

[@vbdx66]

abz124816 Do one key every month and in one year you’re through

[@JohnNy-ni9np]

It will take me 20 years to master what you say in 20 minutes.

[@alejandrom.4680]

Well, as a 15 years old teen, If I can understand it, you obviously too man!

[@JohnNy-ni9np]

@@alejandrom.4680 If a 51 year old man can master it in 20 years, you 15 year old teen too can master it in 02 years. When it come to music the early age is a bless. Hope you will play great in future. :-)

[@Hellspawn9821]

Actually, if you actually cared to learn it. And spent about an hour a day on it. It'd be pretty possible to learn this in a year. Yes to MASTER it, it might take quite a bit of time. But this isn't impossible to understand and it just depends on how often you practice

[@JorgeMendozaMusica]

John Ny, Don’t get overwhelmed! 6 months ago I had no idea about music theory whatsoever, but today I could say I master it pretty well.

[@qryu]

LingLing mastered that in less than a week by practicing 40 hours a day

[@Kherdella]

Hey Julian, I used to be a professional (classical) musician most of my life. I’ve been to a professional music school, got private lessons, studied music science at a university here in Germany,.. I changed my profession to Management couple of years ago but my heart will forever beat for music, so I continued playing on my own :) Playing jazz always seemed hard to me as a classical player so listening to your video and your calm and patient way of explaining helped me a lot. This video seems like the beginning of a new era to me. I will start applying your Tipps and technic. I’m happy I’ve found your video and that you didn’t start explaining everything about music from ground zero so people that have general knowledge like me can go further. Thanks a lot and much love from musician to musician ☺️👋🏼❤️ Hita

[@tresero641]

Repetion is the key to learning

[@theriac.]

@@tresero641 Repetition is key to learning anything

[@theriac.]

I just stumbled upon this. I was playing (from classical to modern etc) when I was a child (around 8) but couldn't read music. But the passion has never left me. So, when I get time I'm going to attempt this 🙈

[@carkod]

You so freaking gorgeous

[@Kherdella]

@@theriac. you will get there!! Just never give up :)) And indeed, repetition is key. I used to play 5-8 h (sometimes more) every single day since my childhood until I became an adult 😇

[@mitchspicer2500]

As a metalhead at heart open to all kinds of music, this was fascinating and so clearly explained. That minor 2-5-1 with the C minor-major 7 @14:50 in context actually made my jaw drop. So hauntingly beautiful. I know very little about music theory but this makes me want to learn.

[@budgetguitaristcom]

YES. In rock circles, there's an "anti music theory" crowd. They don't know what they're missing. An open mind is the best tool any musician can have.

[@michaelnieves9688]

So you learn the 2-5-1 the most easy and is a rudiments and you have a lot more progression, you get that but what happened with the others is so much to learn this is just to make you feel better, like you learn a lot of you really want to learn believe me you will need years to learn not just 20 minutes!

[@adrianozuna875]

@@michaelnieves9688 I mean he did say he knows it's very little about music theory but it makes him want to learn

[@Nikosi9]

@@michaelnieves9688 Duh! It's called practice...

[@uffevonlauterbach]

Learn music theory. It'll make your music far more interesting. You may be able to understand how musicians you like created their music, too!

[@mak8808]

you gave me this for free and u don’t even know me. i will make you proud master.

[@wasabi0929]

I HAVE THE HAT I YOUR PROFILE PICTURE (lol I was just practicing and noticed that)

[@wasabi0929]

Wait is that me

[@wasabi0929]

Taht looks like me

[@wasabi0929]

Who are you lol

[@wasabi0929]

I have that hoodie

[@bobtaylor170]

I could weep with gratitude. I've been trying to teach myself this stuff since the beginning of the year, but wondered why I never saw much if any left handed action. I thought I was figuring much of it out, but was never sure. I intend to watch this video over and over and over again. It is the single most helpful piano video I've seen on KZbin. A thousand thanks to you, sir.

[@jazztutorial]

Arr thank you Bob! What a great comment. That is exactly what I hoped this video would do - cover all the bases in one organized place, without you having to try to piece it all together through separate videos. I'm so glad this video helps, and I hope it makes all my other videos fit in place too. Thank you Bob!

[@chriswilkes236]

Well said. My sentiments as well.

[@minoz55]

I wholeheartedly agree. Extremely helpful, and presented in a very pleasant way. Thank you!

[@cutesammie]

I feel the same. The is the most comprehensive 20 minutes of any piano lesson I've watched on KZbin. You start most of them with an open heart and end up getting confused. This is the first time ever I got the principle being taught in totality. Well done sir.

[@jamesmarker3956]

Definitely agree. I’ve had so many times I’ve thought: this seems off, surely I’m doing something wrong. This has helped greatly.

[@tom_something]

This is so rich and condensed. So much information in 1) so little time and 2) just one video. Amazingly valuable.

[@yeeeha5674]

Just watched this, thank you for providing this lesson to KZbin! This simplifies some things I never understood massively and it's taught really well, crazy that you got this all whittled down to 20mins 😃🙌

[@LeruoTebogo]

18:36 This is for all the kids who resolved their aesthetic & cultural dissonance. You can appreciate the genius of Chopin, Bill Evans and RZA, all at the same damn time. Soul harmony. A highly significant teaching moment :)

[@talimpalomino9589]

Truth!

[@isaiahharris6497]

loved that!

[@215zonemc]

i knew i wasn't trippn when he did that. thank you for the confirmation lol

[@steveballzack1409]

DOLLA DOLLA BILLS Y'ALL!!!

[@shadediallo4314]

RZA wutang?

[@ethaniel_tweedy]

I've been playing the piano now for 9 years and I've always struggled to understand most of what you covered in this video. Yet in just 20 minutes you've managed to help me understand the principles of jazz almost completely! I love jazz and blues so much and now I feel I can finally start making progress towards learning how to play it properly. I can't thank you enough for this.

[@blairjohnson6014]

A year later, and me too! I instantly knew all of these things he talked about but I’d never been properly taught so my brain just couldn’t conceptualize them. Such a good video.

[@sebastianuribe9410]

@@blairjohnson6014 yo what are our next steps do u think?

[@nicolanic9599]

Omg thank you. wow, I can't believe how well you explained this and how easy this makes reading jazz chords now. I had no idea it was this simple!

[@teamyordle23]

6:47 Just posting this timestamp so I can come back and appreciate the jazziness of those chords being played one after another. I don't know how to play jazz but when I hear those jazz harmonies I get so excited. If it takes 10-20 years to learn jazz so be it, but I'm ready to learn.

[@jamesmathai1138]

Fitting profile pic (sorta)

[@juaquimcalamiong8957]

@@chunk2887 Jazz has many things you have to keep in mind like chord extensions and modal theory, but playing good jazz doesn’t take 10-20 years if you practice not only learning it, but applying it. I didn’t understand crap until I just played and messed around with it and it sounded good. I hope to understand modal theory next.

[@pnojazz]

Welcome to jazz piano!

[@mikebeal2155]

The chords he played as examples of "jazz sound" were altered somewhat. A 2nd degree was thrown in on almost all of them. The G7 was an altered chord on the second example. (instead of a d he played a d#).

[@casparps]

i literally just did the same😂😂

[@dmmurray9422]

I never thought a teacher could make perfect sense of jazz chords, and scales, but there I go playing true jazz sounds for the first time ever. Thank you so much! I am a subscriber for sure. looking forward to the next lessons.

[@JyzYorkeManifestKidd]

Like for real he is teaching so good

[@visualsituation]

I still don't understand

[@bluejazz42]

Best explanation of major and minor jazz chords and scales on KZbin. Brilliant, simple and clear. Well done indeed! Thank you.

[@richard135b7]

This tutorial is so insightful and so helpful. This is not easy stuff to learn but Julian you have a gift of teaching. I actually understood it the way you laid it all out and tied it all together. Thank you!

[@falak88]

0:57 After playing augmented and diminished chords he played the major one again. I have found my OCD pal :D

[@Stephanie9959]

Actually, I came back to say the 9th, 11th and 13th are easily found if you memorized the triads. CEG, DFA, EGB, FAC, GBD, ACE, and BDF. CEG, then DFA one octave up is 9th, the 11th and 13th. Meaning the 9, 11, 13 is the 2nd triad one octave up in the major scale. I actually saw a teacher counting. Seriously!

[@ElliottPiano]

Wow thank you

[@AbhiBass96]

I was counting to when I started off with theory. Not everyone gets this in a first go, takes time. Yes, people count, its a way of expressing their answers self-accurately.

[@TaufiqRaw]

Thank bro

[@johndecicco]

Great tip. Thanks!

[@toodsf1]

well yeah. So to find the extensions you just need the minor triad of the second scale degree. So in the key of C major you only need to know that D is the second note and then the notes of a D minor chord are the extensions, DFA. You don't need to think about those other triads

[@ferdibinger3429]

This was the best wrap up of 3 years of jazz piano lessons I took a long time ago I could possibly get + with the input from this awesome tutorial, it feels like now I can actually APPLY all this, as this is so much ..... hands on. Thanks a lot!

[@aznchopsticks6286]

Man thank you so much, if I had you as a teacher. I can’t even imagine how much I could learn. I’m learning to make RnB music and the information you’ve given is exactly what I needed. Thank you for teachers like you sir🙏

[@sverreaar9916]

18:38 never thought I'd hear this in a jazz theory video lol. dolla dolla bill yo

[@adamkuziemski4427]

Had to scroll too far to find this comment. For those interested, the original sample is from The Charmels - As Long As I've Got You

[@wm1573]

Why not? The original music is taken from a jazz record

[@rodrigolloreda7012]

Stunned. Save your money folks. It takes a few years to pick this up as a music major. Bravo sir. Bravo.

[@zjaz8000]

Man I love this guy! He keeps it so simple yet so thoroughly detailed. What a great and humble teacher!

[@1957scrambler]

I’m self taught and been playing for many years. I’ve played mostly blues or rock in that time. I’ve always loved jazz as well and struggled to understand the chord structure for many years. You did an amazing job clearing up so much in your video. You are an amazing teacher and I thank you so much for this lesson!

[@jonathanwingmusic]

Wow, this is so helpful! I'm just at the point in my playing where I've been diving more into 7th chords, extensions, and modal scales over those chords; but in 20 minutes you explained it way better and more clearly than any of my music theory books! :)

[@ProfeARios]

OMG!!!! This is what I call a GREAT JAZZ TUTORIAL!!!! Thank you so much for sharing!!!

[@william2496]

I love that principle regarding the Lydian, Dorian and Lydian Dominant scales. Thanks for explaining this all so well!

[@martinsaint-germain3005]

That is teaching mastery at work. I can’t believe it. I’ve been doing some teaching as a bass player for many years now. This is amazingly clear and very, very well done. Julian, you are an inspiration and a model for me. Thank you for being what you are, a great musician and I would add an awesome pedagogue.

[@andersforsbers]

Brilliant presentation of the world of jazz, covering the essentials without being confusing. Just what I needed! Thank you!

[@hanskirsch2300]

This is amazing. Never have I seen someone explain the very basics so transparent and understandable. Thank you so much

[@jennalai5246]

Thank you so much for the amazing explanation. I'm a classical pianist and I want to explore Jazz for a change. I didn't know how to start learning because the chords look so complicated haha. Thanks to you, I understand more now!

[@hilaryhamilton240]

Wow, straight to it, no unnecessary chatter - brillliant. I’ve saved this so I can check it out again and again. Utterly succinct tutorial, many thanks.

[@Hardlinerjapan]

Brilliant. Your style and pacing is really effective. Thanks very much for this.

[@midomaged6239]

I just can't describe how great this time-saving brilliantly-made tutorial is!! "Never explained better" is all I can say :) Thank you so much!

[@flugmodus9214]

This was an amzingly well structured presentation! As a begginer that can barley play Christmas carols I was able to follow till the end and with great interest. I will definitely have this video on my file and come back to it when my technical skills are (hopefully 😅) better. Thank you 😊🙏🏼

[@annewinter5246]

Gosh this is a new world for a classical pianist very excited that you explained it so amazingly!

[@tjenwen]

Very well explained! You deserve a medal for this.

[@SierraRoute]

What a great tutorial. This was a great review for me with a few new concepts as well. Thank you for taking the time to make it.

[@Desson58]

So simply taught and yet so evocatively rendered. Thank you!

[@mariothepookster]

What a wonderful teacher! You’ve done an excellent job at explaining the basics of luscious chords used by the great jazz pianists like Bill Evans, Keith Jarrett, Lyle Mays and too many others to name here. Even a musician other than a keyboard player can benefit from your “Jazz Piano Improvisation Explained …” since you’ve concisely explained some of the music theory basics in a way that anyone can understand , from the beginner to player with some experience, if they take the time to learn what you’ve presented. I can tell you like teaching. Great job 👏! Thanks 🙏!

[@FernandoGabriele]

This is the plain-English explanation I was trying to find for decades. Great job, thank you so much!

[@juliussharrock8943]

Hey. You are an explanatory genius. Cannot believe how concisely you’ve covered these topics! All the best and thanks for everything! 👌🏼😎😎🚀

[@tejujs]

Brilliant. Precise. Thank you for being to-the-point and well organised.

[@u2withorwithoutyou]

This video is phenomenal, honestly. Thank you so much for laying out so clearly.

[@YashKMusic]

18:37 - Wu-Tang wants to know your location

[@ploopybear]

sounds like Chason Triste for piano

[@SL-xy5pn]

hahah!

[@CykPykMyk]

W PUNKT XDDDDDDDDD

[@zog6243]

Yash Kshirsagar thats so cool

[@testowykana1763]

@@CykPykMyk Chyba nikt rozumie co piszesz :D

[@jonathanberroa8506]

FINALLY YOURE BACK🤩🤩I’ve been waiting for this for a while, time to get used to goosebumps again

[@jazztutorial]

Jonathan! Yes - finally. I've missed this. I have a ton of new material on its way, can't wait to share more!

[@davidmaraman855]

Thanks for the clarity...a good place to start. These chord voicing are so beautiful!

[@angerynook9937]

not only did i understand all the concepts it helped me comprehend other parts of music theory i was struggling with, you´re a fantastic teacher. Thank you for this video!

[@StanleyDHYoo]

I really appreciate how this tutorial is in the key of C Major! I can actually follow along! I'm not really familiar with other key signatures. Thanks!

[@shawnpirkle-castillo6217]

Thanks for this! I'm mostly a classical musician but I'm trying to branch out into Jazz. I really appreciate your videos.

[@lizzg6723]

Earlier this year I started watching this video but got lost quickly. After picking up some music theory, I was surprised that this time, I can get through the entire video and understand quite a lot of it. Thank you for your tutorial!

[@joewehlage6832]

I learned jazz in one poop

[@malik-a-creeper]

wdym?

[@blakkmagikk360]

He means he watched the video while on the toilet 🤦🏾‍♂️

[@iruka1122]

Good idea. I'll save this for next time I'm on the toilet

[@dropagear6607]

Same

[@KoushikVenkat7]

You poop for 20 minutes?

[@user-gc9pu2hk4j]

Watching your videos for a long time, but this one was like a compilation of many others which I really liked! Thanks a lot!

[@grahamcooper2144]

This is the absolute best music theory instruction video I've seen on KZbin. Other videos I've researched on this stuff vary from confusing to - confusing *and* contradictory. You nailed it fellah. Well done and heartfelt thanks. Just subbed and looking forward to watching more of your stuff.

[@HK_Musician]

💯 Agree. No fat on this video whatsoever

[@tarifawad4150]

What an incredibly useful video! Thank you for sharing. It clarified so much about a complex topic in 20 minutes - you are a talented musician and teacher.

[@dreamchaser0524]

You are a life saver ,the way you explained it makes it crystal clear for the beginners,helps me a lot ! Thanks so much

[@TechnicalJon]

You've explained a concept that I have been trying to understand for years. Sincerely, thank you good sir. +1 sub

[@timallen6025]

Clarity and ‘ can do’ in 20 minutes . Quite extraordinary teaching talent . A huge thank you . It is like seeing all the books I’ve struggled through myopically but with glasses on now ! Thank you , thank you , big and bold 😊👍

[@guitarslinger3914]

Great synopsis- I've been learning to play jazz for 10 months so it's good to see how much my theory has developed- plus I've identified a few new areas to work on. Great work, thank you.

[@charlesarmstrong5292]

Brilliantly done. Thanks so much. I now at last have a full understanding . Seeing it spelled out on the piano really helps.

[@dondrysdale9480]

I’m flabbergasted and excited, such clarity of a complex subject!

[@ishaaqmartin3564]

As a guitarist. You have given me a fantastic understanding into developing extention sounds/chordshapes. Thank you.

[@TheLolthazun]

I've been trying to learn jazz guitar for a bit. I didn't really understand the chord constructions and now thanks to this video this makes it all so much easier.

[@nightshift600RR]

Thank you SO much. As a fella with a decent amount of non-jazz theory background, this is EXACTLY what I have needed for years! Well explained and astoundingly simple compared to what I expected to encounter! Much appreciation from your newest subscriber!

[@casymichelle4581]

I think I almost cried when he played the 4th and 5th voicings. Never heard those before but that was like the most beautiful thing ever!!

[@loganpittmusic4388]

Honestly I feel enlightened after watching this

[@hrhr2466]

The greatest music theory tutorial channel on KZbin. Not just for pianists

[@wavetexture]

This is great. Been playing music for years but lately just getting into jazz on the keys. Very helpful and direct information here. Thanks!

[@lospopularos]

Wonderful teacher, calm, metodical, patient. Nice change from the mostly hysterical tutorials one encounters on YT these days. Thank you!

[@emoteen7044]

Man, never took any music classes and I barely know a few little things about how harmony works, but this video you made is a piece of gold. I wish every teacher in the world, no matter what’s the subject, could be as good as you. Great job, congratulations, and thank you because I suddenly understood a lot of things I was already doing in my playing style, which will make everything easier 😊

[@anthonyscott16]

This was about the clearest, most well thought out explanation of jazz theory that I've ever heard. I actually understood everything you said. haha Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge!

[@curtpiazza1688]

WOW!! Great lesson! Books for jazz beginners can often be confusing....your presentation is so clear and understandable!.... and in 20 min! Thanx!

[@pma475]

Julian , your Christmas jazz pieces are still my favourite. Every Christmas I applaud you ! 😅

[@LincolnGarten]

Que aula maravilhosa! Depois de anos enxergando o Jazz como "coisa de outro mundo", finalmente consegui entendê-lo!! 👏👏👏

[@YarinKessler]

Beautiful distillation of bare principles. Bravo!

[@mokshmeditation]

This 20 minutes of video is worth more than a year's lesson. I'm a guitarist but the insights helped me a lot in my jazz understanding.

[@mbrianjones68]

I'm a blues guy with classical training. I love that you broke down the impossible so succinctly. I can feel them but this will go along way when I get stuck. Thank you!

[@DJ2109]

I've been playing piano since I was young. 8 minutes in and I've learned more than I can thank you for.... So thanks...

[@altberg__]

welcome back. :) happy to see that you are back and really looking forward to see more!

[@patricksalembier7352]

You are an amazing teacher. You make everything clear. I don’t play piano, but I am fascinated by music theory. I subscribe and recommend everyone to do so!

[@gumtree7177]

My friend you are a legend that makes more sense than most I’ve ever seen teach. You’re a natural teacher and a great knowledgeable person. Thanks 🙏🏻 God bless you from Australia 🇦🇺

[@BenMcrea61]

Great to see a new video Julian. You are such a great teacher!

[@torstenreil404]

This is exceptionally well explained. Thank you!

[@amsbeats841]

This is an excellent video at simplifying music fundamentals concepts! These intervals were somehow really hard to wrap my head around but once I got them, the rest of music theory made perfect sense. Jazz however is the one genre that always baffles me so Im loving these!

[@soundssimple1]

Thanks for this. I've had my guitar hobby now for 40 years and never touched on Jazz. It had always eluded me in understanding what it was all about and how it was constructed. I could never 'hear it' or 'follow it' and always gave up when trying to understand. This past 20 minutes has been a revelation. I now get it. Thank you so much for this video. You are a genius. Subscribed just for the hell of it to see what pops up.

[@crehenge2386]

Thanks for proving that one can't learn jazz in 20min!

[@petercutler3136]

I’m astonished at how well this was explained!

[@rafaelgomez1989]

PURE GOLD IN 20 MINUTES....THANK YOU JULIAN !!!

[@TimSuliman]

This is the clearest explanation I've ever seen! Thank you so much!

[@rodrick723]

Finally... understanding from a genius at teaching. Thanks man.

[@MrAxko]

Fantastic, high quality content! Well done, subscribed!

[@georgekalema8661]

Love it! Stuff I've struggled to understand for years broken down simply in 20min. Appreciated!!

[@davidlourensz4822]

You are a very good teacher. You can do it because you understand it and have a passion for teaching, I think and want to share your knowledge - not sure why music was always hard for me, there was no overall picture and it was stuff I could not put together, I think you know this problem and you are overcoming it. Great work and thank you.

[@jeanchristiansampah]

wow!!! you've just unlocked a whole new level for me in 20 min

[@expida101]

this video is so well-timed because I just got back into piano yesterday and wanted to do exactly everything you said in this video

[@jazztutorial]

Perfect! I'm so glad this was good timing for you Toast!

[@janepatel6643]

Thank you - I am just starting to look at jazz chords, this is so clearly explained, you are too cool Julian! What a teacher 😎

[@NotMyName888]

You explained this so simply it gave me goosebumps. I now understand! Thanks you!

[@Will3PK]

This video is gold. It finally unlocked so many things I'm trying to learn about music theory. So well done as well. Thank you!! Now I just have to translate it into guitar... it's a mess! But there is hope! :)

[@pr-ji1ni]

I don't play piano, but I am learning clarinet and I found this video super useful to understand what is going on in jazz and what scales I can use to improvise. Thanks Julian!

[@ADBVoiceActing]

Excellent lesson. I began playing classical piano at age 5. I'm 56 now and have forgotten much. These kinds of lessons are perfect for me. Great refresher.

[@bredda_marcus]

Thnx so much for this video. You just opened my eyes. Great teacher !

[@tomlanke]

One of the best music theory I've ever seen...thanks!