Jazz Chords

Jazz guitar chords look scary on paper, but most of the job comes down to a few compact shapes and the ii-V-I progression. This chapter teaches you to comp like a jazz guitarist: short, light chords that support a soloist or singer and leave space for the band.

You begin with shell voicings, seventh chords cut down to root, third and seventh, then use them to play the major ii-V-I and the minor ii-V-i, with half-diminished and altered dominant chords. Comping rhythms like the Charleston and the anticipation show you where to place chords in a swing feel. Drop 2 voicings add a full four-note sound on the top strings with smooth voice leading, and the last lesson adds chromatic approach chords and a Charleston turnaround.

Every exercise plays as tab in your browser with a click, and the tempo ladder helps you go from slow, careful changes to the target bpm. Each lesson ends with a checkpoint. You'll finish able to comp through a ii-V-I in several keys, moving only the fingers that need to move.