Once you’ve learned the chords on the 6th string, your next goal will be to learn the chords on the 5th string. While the jazz guitar chords on the 6th string are a great starting point, you’ve probably noticed by now that you have to jump all over the place to play a song. In this lesson, you start to add in the jazz guitar chords on the 5th string, and you’ll start to be able to find your next chord without having to move more than a couple of frets most of the time. Once you add these chords into your vocabulary, playing through jazz songs will be a much easier process. In this lesson you’re going to learn the basic 3 note jazz guitar chord shape starting on the 5th string. You’ll also learn how to change this shape to create any chord you need using basic music theory rules. 3 Note Chords For Jazz GuitarHere we are learning some basic 3 note jazz guitar chords that will help simplify the learning process for you. These chords have 3 essential structural notes of each chord - the root (1), the third (3), and the seventh (7). Here’s why these notes are important:
Together these three notes give you the tools you need in order to get started playing jazz guitar chords that will sound good, and build a foundation for more colorful chords in the future. The really nice thing about these chords is that they are movable shapes or forms. You can learn to play a 7th chord once, and then you technically know the 7th chord in every key. Since the root for these chords is on the 5th string, you just need to learn the notes on the 5th string and you’ll always know what chord you’re playing. Need help learning the notes on the 5th string? Click here to learn the notes on the neck. Sometimes these chords are called “shell voicings” - because they don’t have the 5th of the chord, they won’t conflict with a piano player, big band horn section, or a soloist. These jazz guitar chords will give you everything you need at a basic level, they’re easy to learn, and they sound good. 5th String Chord StructureThese chords are going to use what I call a 5th string chord structure. The notes of the chord (chord tones) that we are going to use are the root (1), the third (3), and the seventh (7), in that order from lowest to highest note. No matter what type of chord we create that structure will be the same - root on the bottom, the seventh above that, and the third above that. Primary Chord Shapes - 7th Chords:Major 7th ChordThe major 7th chord is built 1 3 7 for this chord shape. Playing recommendation:
Common Chord Symbols: (assuming a C root - 5th string, 3rd fret)
To Practice:
Dominant 7th ChordThe dominant 7th chord (also called a 7th chord) is built 1 3 b7 for this chord shape.
Playing recommendation:
Common Chord Symbols: (assuming a C root - 5th string, 3rd fret)
To Practice:
Minor 7th ChordThe minor 7th chord is built 1 b3 b7 for this chord shape.
Playing recommendation:
Common Chord Symbols: (assuming a C root - 5th string, 3rd fret)
To Practice:
Bonus Chord Shapes - 6th Chords:Learning 6th chords can be really useful for your jazz guitar playing because both the major and the minor 6th chords can serve more than one function without adding any extra notes. The basic structure of these chords is the same as the 7th chords, but the 6th replaces the 7th as a chord tone. If you are comfortable with your major, dominant, and minor 7th chords, these will be easy for you to learn and use. Major 6th ChordThe major 6th chord is built 1 3 6 for this chord shape. Playing recommendation:
Common Chord Symbols: (assuming a C root - 5th string, 3rd fret)
Extra Uses:
Minor 6th ChordThe minor 6th chord is built 1 b3 6 for this chord shape
Playing recommendation:
Common Chord Symbols: (assuming a C root - 5th string, 3rd fret)
Extra Uses:
To Practice:
Things To Think About:Learning these easy jazz guitar chords on the 5th string will help you build any chord you need in the course of playing jazz songs. They are easy to learn, they sound good, and they let you play jazz chords that work for a lot of musical situations. Keep practicing these 3 note chords, and try to apply them to jazz songs as soon as possible. Remember that these are movable chords, so if you learn the notes along the 5th string, you can play any chord in any key. Once you are able to combine these chords with your easy jazz guitar chords on the 6th string, playing Try to get comfortable with these chords, and let me know how it goes. If you have any questions or need help, contact me today. I’m always happy to help! Related Guitar LessonsI hope you enjoyed this lesson. Here are a couple of related guitar lessons that you might find helpful: Learn Faster With Jazz Guitar LessonsDo you want to get more personalized advice on how to play jazz guitar? I can help you with jazz guitar lessons in Portland Oregon, or online jazz guitar lessons.
I've helped a lot of people learn to play jazz guitar, from students working on getting in to jazz band at school, to retired engineers who always wanted to learn. Find out more about how I can help you with jazz guitar lessons for beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. Click the links below to learn more about: Have questions about jazz guitar lessons? Contact me today!
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