Are you interested in learning how to make any chord progression sound jazzy? Whether you’re a seasoned musician or just starting out, incorporating jazz elements into your music can add a new level of sophistication and complexity. Jazz chord progressions are known for their unique, complex, and often unexpected chord changes that add depth and interest to any piece of music.
The good news is that you don’t have to be a jazz expert to incorporate these progressions into your music. With a little knowledge and practice, you can add jazzy elements to any chord progression, regardless of genre. In this article, we’ll explore some simple techniques for making any chord progression sound jazzy, from using secondary dominants to incorporating passing chords. By the end of this article, you’ll have the tools you need to add a touch of jazz to your music and take your compositions to the next level.
Understanding Jazz
Jazz Standards
Jazz standards are songs that are widely recognized and frequently played by jazz musicians. Some popular jazz standards include “All the Things You Are,” “How High the Moon,” “Satin Doll,” “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” and “Take the A Train.” These songs are often used as a basis for improvisation and are a great starting point for learning how to make any chord progression jazz.
Jazz Chords
Jazz chords are different from traditional chords in that they often include extended notes and altered tones. 7th chords are a staple of jazz music and are commonly used in progressions. Dominant chords are also frequently used in jazz and can add tension and movement to a progression. When creating a jazz chord progression, it’s important to experiment with different chord voicings to find the sound that fits best.
Jazz Music
Jazz music is characterized by its improvisational nature and complex harmonies. Jazz songs often have a swing feel and use syncopation to create rhythmic interest. When making any chord progression jazz, it’s important to keep these elements in mind and experiment with different rhythms and phrasing.
understanding jazz is key to making any chord progression jazz. By studying jazz standards, experimenting with jazz chords, and exploring the nuances of jazz music, you can create chord progressions that are both interesting and unique.
Harmony and Tension
Harmony
Jazz music is known for its complex and sophisticated harmony. To make any chord progression jazz, you need to understand the basics of jazz harmony. The foundation of jazz harmony is the major and minor scales. In a major key, the I, IV, and V chords are major, while the ii, iii, and vi chords are minor. In a minor key, the i, iv, and v chords are minor, while the III, VI, and VII chords are major.
In jazz, chords are often extended beyond their basic triads. Commonly used extensions include the seventh, ninth, eleventh, and thirteenth. These extensions add color and interest to the chords and create a more complex harmonic structure.
Tension
Tension is an important element of jazz harmony. Tension is created by adding dissonant notes to a chord. Dissonant notes create a sense of instability and a desire for resolution. The resolution of tension is what gives jazz harmony its unique sound.
There are several ways to create tension in a chord progression. One way is to use chords that are not in the key. These chords are called borrowed chords, and they create a sense of tension by introducing new harmonies that are unexpected.
Another way to create tension is to use chords that are not diatonic to the key. These chords are called chromatic chords, and they add color and interest to the progression by introducing new notes that are not in the key.
Finally, tension can be created by using chords that are altered. Altered chords are chords that have one or more notes changed from their original form. These changes create tension by introducing dissonant notes that are not part of the original chord.
understanding jazz harmony and tension is essential to making any chord progression jazz. By using extensions, borrowed chords, chromatic chords, and altered chords, you can create a complex and sophisticated harmonic structure that is unique to jazz.
Chord Progressions
When it comes to making any chord progression sound like jazz, there are a few things to keep in mind. In this section, we’ll cover some common jazz chord progressions, chord substitution, and voicing.
Common Jazz Chord Progressions
There are several chord progressions that are commonly used in jazz music. These progressions serve as a foundation for many jazz standards and can be used as a starting point for creating your own chord progressions. Some of the most common jazz chord progressions include:
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ii-V-I: This is the most common progression in jazz music. It consists of the chords built on the second, fifth, and first scale degrees of a major or minor key. For example, in the key of C, the ii-V-I progression would be Dm7-G7-Cmaj7.
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Minor ii-V-i: This is a variation of the ii-V-I progression that is commonly used in minor keys. It consists of the chords built on the second, fifth, and first scale degrees of a minor key. For example, in the key of D minor, the minor ii-V-i progression would be Em7b5-A7b9-Dm7.
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Circle of Fifths: This is a chord progression that moves in fifths. It’s commonly used in jazz music as a way to modulate to different keys. The progression goes like this: Cmaj7-Fmaj7-Bbmaj7-Ebmaj7-Abmaj7-Dbmaj7-Gbmaj7-Bmaj7.
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Chromatic Bass Line: This is a progression that uses a descending chromatic bass line. It’s commonly used in jazz ballads. For example, the progression could be: Cmaj7-Cm7-F7-Fm7-Eb7-Dm7b5-G7.
Chord Substitution
Chord substitution is a technique that involves replacing one chord with another chord that has a similar function. This technique can be used to add interest and complexity to a chord progression. Some common chord substitutions in jazz music include:
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Tritone Substitution: This is a substitution of the V7 chord with a chord that is a tritone away. For example, in the key of C, the V7 chord is G7. The tritone substitution for G7 is Db7.
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iii-vi-ii-V: This is a substitution of the ii-V progression with a iii-vi-ii-V progression. For example, in the key of C, the ii-V progression would be Dm7-G7. The iii-vi-ii-V progression would be Em7-A7-Dm7-G7.
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Altered Dominant: This is a substitution of the V7 chord with a chord that has altered extensions. For example, in the key of C, the V7 chord is G7. The altered dominant for G7 would be G7b9#5.
Chord Voicing
Chord voicing is a technique that involves choosing which notes to play in a chord. This technique can be used to create different textures and harmonies in a chord progression. Some common chord voicings in jazz music include:
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Drop 2: This is a voicing technique that involves dropping the second highest note in a chord down an octave. For example, a Cmaj7 chord in drop 2 voicing would be played as: E-B-C-G.
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Diminished Passing Chords: This is a technique that involves using diminished chords to connect diatonic chords. For example, in the key of C, a diminished passing chord between the ii and V chords would be Dm7b5.
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Alterations: This is a technique that involves adding altered extensions to a chord. For example, a C7#9 chord would be played as: C-E-G-Bb-D#.
understanding chord progressions, chord substitution, and chord voicing are key to making any chord progression sound like jazz. By incorporating these techniques into your playing, you can add interest and complexity to your music.
Improvisation and Comping
Improvisation
One of the most important aspects of jazz is improvisation. Improvising over a chord progression can be a daunting task, but with practice and patience, you can become proficient in no time. Start by analyzing the chord progression and identifying the key and any potential modulations. This will help you choose the appropriate scales and arpeggios to use in your improvisation.
When improvising, it’s important to use a variety of techniques to keep things interesting. Try using different rhythms, articulations, and dynamics to create contrast in your playing. Additionally, incorporating licks and patterns into your improvisation can add a personal touch to your playing.
Jazz Comping
Comping is the art of accompanying a soloist or melody with chords. In jazz, comping is an essential skill that can make or break a performance. Jazz comping involves using different chord voicings and rhythms to create a rich and dynamic harmonic foundation for the soloist.
When comping, it’s important to listen to the soloist and adjust your playing accordingly. Use chord extensions and alterations to add color and interest to your chords. Additionally, using rhythmic patterns and syncopation can create a driving and energetic groove.
One popular chord progression in jazz is the rhythm changes. The rhythm changes is a chord progression based on George Gershwin’s song “I Got Rhythm.” It’s a common progression in many jazz standards and is a great progression to practice your improvisation and comping skills.
improvisation and comping are essential skills in jazz. By analyzing the chord progression, using a variety of techniques, and incorporating extensions and alterations, you can create a rich and dynamic harmonic foundation for your improvisation and comping.
Specific Songs and Changes
Coltrane Changes
One of the most famous jazz chord progressions is the Coltrane Changes. This progression is named after John Coltrane, who used it in his composition “Giant Steps.” The Coltrane Changes are a series of chord changes that move in thirds, creating a sense of harmonic tension and release. They are often used in fast, uptempo tunes and can be challenging to play at first.
To get started with the Coltrane Changes, try practicing them in a few different keys. One way to practice is to use a simple tune like “There Will Never Be Another You” as a vehicle for the changes. Another approach is to use a ii-V-I progression in a particular key and then apply the Coltrane Changes to it.
Specific Songs
Learning specific songs and their chord progressions is a great way to develop your jazz playing. Here are a few examples of tunes with interesting chord progressions:
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“All of Me”: This tune features a classic 32-bar AABA form with a few twists. The bridge uses a ii-V-I progression in a minor key, which creates a unique sound.
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“Blues for Alice”: This bebop tune uses a series of ii-V-I progressions, with some variations and substitutions. It’s a great tune to practice improvisation and phrasing.
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“The Girl from Ipanema”: This bossa nova tune has a simple, catchy melody and a chord progression that uses a lot of ii-V-I progressions in a major key. It’s a great tune to practice playing in a Latin style.
By studying these tunes and others like them, you can start to develop a sense of the common chord progressions used in jazz. Remember to listen to recordings of these tunes and other jazz standards to get a feel for how they are played and interpreted.
Other Topics
Roman Numerals
One of the most common ways to analyze chord progressions in jazz is by using Roman numerals. This system allows you to analyze the harmonic movement of a song without being tied to a specific key. For example, a ii-V-I progression in C major would be analyzed as ii-V-I, while the same progression in G major would be analyzed as IV-V-I. This system is useful for understanding how chord progressions function in different keys and for transposing music to different keys.
Classical Influence
Classical music has had a significant influence on jazz harmony, and many jazz chord progressions are based on classical harmony. For example, the ii-V-I progression is similar to the ii-V-I progression in classical music, and the use of dominant seventh chords is common in both genres. Understanding classical harmony can help you understand the harmonic structure of jazz music and create more interesting chord progressions.
Chromatic and Diatonic Approaches
Chromatic and diatonic approaches are two different ways to create interesting chord progressions in jazz. Chromatic harmony involves using notes that are not in the key to create tension and resolution. For example, a progression that uses a b9 or #11 chord can create tension and interest. Diatonic harmony, on the other hand, uses only the notes in the key to create chord progressions. This approach can create a more stable and predictable harmonic structure.
When creating chord progressions in jazz, it’s important to consider the melody note and the fundamentals of the song. The melody note can influence the choice of chords and the overall harmonic structure, while the fundamentals of the song can dictate the key and the overall mood of the piece.
understanding Roman numerals, classical influence, and chromatic and diatonic approaches can help you create interesting and unique chord progressions in jazz.
