Learning Jazz Piano Chords

The following video will show you how to convert an F major chord to an F minor chord (Fm), and a C major chord to a C minor chord (Cm). This will be the foundation for building dominant 7th chords, minor 7th chords , major 7th chords, and many other jazz chord types.

Once you understand how the 3-note major and minor chords are built, you're ready for more advanced chords. I'll start with the C major chord and build the jazz chord progression.

I'll be using the 8-note C major scale as a general foundation for all of the following jazz chords.

C Major Scale

C	D	E	F	G	A	B	C
1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8

The C major chords is...

C = C - E - G

From the previous chord above, add a B to make it a major 7th chord.

Using the C major scale as our foundation, this would be a 1, 3, 5, 7. The notes of the major 7th chord should match up with the numbered scale tones from the C major scale shown above.

Cmaj7 = C - E - G - B

From the previous chord above, lower the B to a Bb to make it C7. This is also known as a dominant 7th chord.

C7 = C - E - G - Bb

From the previous chord above, lower the 3rd a half step to convert C7 to a Cm7 chord.

Cm7 = C - Eb - G - Bb

Working from the chord directly above, lower the G, (the 5th), to a Gb to convert the Cm7 to a Cm7(b5) chord.

(b5) represents a flatted 5th.

Cm7(b5) = C - Eb - Gb - Bb

A jazz songbook might represent this chord as a half diminished chord. The chord symbol for a C half diminished 7th chord would be: Cø7

Once again, using the C major scale as our starting point, a Cø7 would be made up of a 1, flatted 3rd, flatted 5th and flatted 7th.

Lower the Bb, (the 7th), to a Bbb, (B double flat) to convert the Cø7 to a fully diminished 7th chord.

Cdim7 = C - Eb - Gb - Bbb

Once again, using the C major scale as our starting point, a Cdim7 would be made up of a 1, flatted 3rd, flatted 5th and a double flatted 7th.

Subtract the double flatted 7th from the chord above, and you have a plain old diminished chord.

Cdim = C - Eb - Gb

It's easier to think of a diminished chord as a minor chord with a flatted 5th. Remember Cm is C - Eb - G. To make it Cdim, just make the G a Gb.

Jazz Piano Chords Continued

Now Offering Our NEW PLAY PIANO BY EAR
DOWNLOADABLE MP3 Audio Course!

Imagine being able to sit down at the piano and play anything that you hear without the help of sheet music.

Now you can be learning my time-tested, proven method...and you can do it in less than 6 months without having to take traditional piano lessons!

As a SPECIAL BONUS, we are now offering our PLAY PIANO BY EAR Audio Course along with our online video lessons. This is a completely new program as of April 2013.

You can be one of the first to take advantage of our newest online piano course! In less than 5 minutes you can gain TOTAL ACCESS to all of my Play Piano By Ear audio lessons!

CLICK HERE To Learn More!