How To Play 4 Different Major Jazz Piano Chords

piano chordsAre you sick and tired of playing generic piano chords?

Do you find yourself playing chords the same old way whenever they come up in a chord chart?

If so, then this jazz piano lesson was designed for you!

In today’s lesson we’re going to take a look at 4 unique ways of playing major chords. (video lesson, notation, and tips below.)

Why You Should Learn These Piano Chords

By adding these chords into your bag of tricks you’ll be able to express yourself much better and bring a whole new layer of interest to your music.

Also, the great news is you’ll be able to use these piano chords for songs in a variety of other music styles as well (not just jazz).

Let’s get starting learning! (Start by watching the video below) 

Piano Chords

(click to expand)

If you want to add even more chord choices to your playing you should definitely check out this 4 minor jazz chords lesson as well.

7 Tips To Help You Use These Piano Chords

1. Each of these chords are built by starting with 3 fundamental chord tones (Root, 3rd, and 7th). Then we add one “color note” or “extension”. This would be either the 9th, the #11, or the 13th.

2. Make sure you pay close attention to what the top note is of each chord. Although, these chords will work in most musical situations there are times when they may interfere with the melody of a song.

3. If you enjoy the sounds of these chords then you’ll absolutely love this Bill Evans chord lessonthis lesson on how to play Autumn Leaves chordsand this jazz blues piano chord lesson.

4. The best way to learn any new chord you learn is to immediately apply it to a song or a chord progression you love.  Don’t wait…do it right now. :)

5. It’s important that you learn these chords in all your keys. You’ll want access to them in all kinds of different songs. I promise this will help. You’ll thank me later! :)

6. Each chord has it’s own unique color and sound to it. So, it’s always best to use your ear as a guide in regards to when is an appropriate time to play them.

7. If you’re more of a beginner and looking for some simpler chords than check out this easy chords lesson.

Update On Why You Play Jazz

I’d like to thank all the readers who took the time to responded to our last article Why do you play jazz?

The answers so far have been simply amazing! We’ve had over 32 people respond and comment so far on this one! Unreal. :)

If you haven’t read the article yet I strongly encourage you to. Have a great day! :)

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- If you this lesson has helped you please leave a comment below and share it with your friends! 

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Steve Nixon is the proud owner of freejazzlessons.com He is a world touring jazz and blues keyboard player and educator.

He is also the author of the brand new Jazz Masters Method , a study of 9 legendary jazz piano players, and the Learn Blues Piano DVD Course


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  • Dan

    OK, I have been following (and LEARNING from) your videos for a while now. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate and enjoy your lessons. 
    So I guess I am just being curious here. What motivates you to do all this work without any tangible compensation – financial or otherwise – in return? I mean, in very short time you have become one of my true heroes, but I would still like to know where you find your a) inspiration; b) energy;  and c) what is your main goal/purpose in doing all this “pro bono” work? 

    It’s really not important… I just woke up one day with these questions on my mind! 

    • http://www.freejazzlessons.com/ Steve Nixon (freejazzlessons)

      Thanks for your kind words Dan! I’m humbled!
      My inspiration and motivation comes from helping people and sharing music. It’s fun man.
      I try to contribute to the world the best way I know how.

      I’m a jazz musician, I like to teach, I like building communities, and I’m an internet geek. So, in a nutshell I think the universe has required me to create this site :)

  • Frank

    Great lesson as always keeping it simpleand easy to understand.Thank you Steve.
    Frank

  • Jazzmeup1st

    I am just blown away by the simplicity in understanding the concepts you introduce with each lesson. Jazz language has always been one difficult to understand, let alone express musically. You have given us a way to comprehend and start speaking this language in a way that captures what we’ve all been yearning to do for a loooong time.

    • http://www.freejazzlessons.com/ Steve Nixon (freejazzlessons)

      So kind of you! Thank you and welcome to our community. Always more to come :)

  • Angel Palmeras

    Hi Steve,

    I’m very much interested in your role as a music educator, how do you carry this?  What does it consist of?  Could you give us a link to these activities?

  • Stephen

    Hi Steve! Great lessons man! Thanks for sharing you knowledge. I am a trumpet player and I wanted understand chords better so this lesson and others like are great, I would like to know about the fingering of chords? In this lesson you use the left hand for the root and invert the rest of the spelling. Is this the basic way to fingering chord voicing?
    Thanks

  • number9

    Thanks .I’m new to this site any i find it one of the best on the net.L.c smith /Vancouver B.c

    • http://www.freejazzlessons.com/ Steve Nixon (freejazzlessons)

      Thank you :-) Welcome to the community.