Beautiful Jazz Chords on Guitar: Where a Beginner Should Start
Jazz chords seem hard, but you can begin with a few seventh chords that are already in the trainer. They sound soft and rich, and progressions with them repeat in hundreds of songs. Below are the chords to start with and how to link them.
Why jazz chords sound beautiful
Most jazz chords are seventh chords: a seventh degree is added to a triad. It softens the sound and gives a sense of movement. That is why Cmaj7, Am7 and Dm7 sound richer and calmer than plain C, Am and Dm. How to read their symbols is explained in seventh chord symbols.
Chords to start with
Five chords in the key of C major are enough for a start:
- Cmaj7: bright and soft, the home chord of the key.
- Am7: a warm minor chord.
- Dm7: a calm minor that leads to G7.
- G7: a tense dominant seventh that asks to go back to Cmaj7.
- Em7: another warm minor chord for variety.
Two progressions: ii-V-I and I-vi-ii-V
The ii-V-I is Dm7, G7, Cmaj7. The I-vi-ii-V turnaround is Cmaj7, Am7, Dm7, G7: it returns to the start and repeats. Switch between the progressions and press Play the progression.
How to play so it sounds beautiful
A few habits make playing noticeably nicer:
- Play softly with the finger pads, without a sharp strike.
- Three or four strings are often enough: you may skip the low strings.
- Change chords slowly and without pauses: accuracy first, speed later.
- Listen to how each chord pulls toward the next.
What to read next
Chord basics: how to play guitar chords and how to practise guitar chords. The style: the Jazz on Guitar page in the genres section.
Try it in practice
Open chord trainer