Jazz music is renowned for its harmonically rich and complex nature, characterized by a vast array of chords and chord voicings. The question of how many jazz chords exist is not easily answered, as the possibilities are virtually endless. Jazz musicians continually explore and create new chordal variations, pushing the boundaries of harmony. However, in this article, we will delve into the foundational chords commonly used in jazz and discuss the diverse categories that encompass jazz chord vocabulary.
To begin with, it is important to understand that jazz chords extend beyond the basic major and minor triads found in traditional Western music. Jazz harmony incorporates various chord types, including 7th chords, extended chords, altered chords, and more. These chords provide a wealth of tonal colors and possibilities for improvisation and composition.
- Basic Chord Types:
Jazz harmony often starts with 7th chords, which are built upon triads by adding an extra note – the seventh – to the structure. The most common types of 7th chords in jazz are:
• Major 7th (Maj7): Consisting of a major triad (root, major third, and perfect fifth) with an added major seventh interval.
• Dominant 7th (Dom7): Built upon a major triad with a minor seventh interval, providing a characteristic bluesy sound.
• Minor 7th (m7): Comprising a minor triad (root, minor third, and perfect fifth) with an added minor seventh.
• Minor 7th flat 5 (m7b5): Formed by a diminished triad (root, minor third, and diminished fifth) with a minor seventh.
• Half-diminished 7th (m7b5): Similar to the m7b5 chord, but with a major seventh instead of a minor seventh. - Extended Chords:
Jazz frequently employs extended chords that go beyond the seventh interval. These chords add further color and harmonic complexity to compositions and improvisations. Some common examples include:
• 9th chords: These include the 7th chord tones along with an added 9th interval (or 2nd interval). For instance, a C9 chord would consist of C, E, G, Bb, and D.
• 11th chords: These chords feature the 9th chord tones with an added 11th interval. In practice, the 3rd and 5th intervals are often omitted to avoid sonic clutter.
• 13th chords: These chords encompass the 11th chord tones with the addition of a 13th interval. Similarly, the 9th, 3rd, and 5th intervals are often omitted for clarity. - Altered Chords:
Altered chords introduce chromatic alterations to the basic chord tones, adding tension and a sense of dissonance. These alterations can include flat or sharp 5ths, flat or sharp 9ths, and flat or sharp 13ths. Altered chords provide a distinct flavor and are often used in dominant chord contexts to create tension and resolution. Examples of altered chords are the dominant 7th sharp 9 (7#9) and dominant 7th flat 13 (7b13) chords. - Suspended Chords:
Suspended chords (sus chords) substitute the third of a triad with either a major second (sus2) or a perfect fourth (sus4). These chords create an ambiguous and open sound, allowing for resolution back to the major or minor tonality. They are commonly used as colorful alternatives to traditional major or minor chords. - Polychords and Upper Structure Triads:
Jazz musicians often combine multiple chords to create complex voicings. Polychords involve stacking two or more chords on top of each other, resulting in rich and unique harmonic textures. Upper structure triads, on the other hand, involve superimposing triads or extended chords on top of a basic chord to create new and interesting harmonies. These techniques allow jazz musicians to add depth and complexity to their chord progressions and improvisations. - Cluster Chords:
Cluster chords are chords formed by adjacent notes in a scale or chromatic cluster. These chords often feature dense and dissonant sounds, adding a sense of tension and intensity to jazz compositions. Cluster chords are frequently used for coloristic effects and can create a contemporary and avant-garde atmosphere in jazz music. - Quartal and Quintal Harmony:
Quartal and quintal harmony refer to chords constructed using intervals of fourths or fifths, respectively, instead of traditional thirds. These harmonies offer a modern and open sound, departing from the more traditional tertian harmony found in classical music. Quartal and quintal chords are frequently used in modal jazz and fusion genres, providing a distinct harmonic flavor. - Modal Chords:
In modal jazz, chords are often derived from scales or modes rather than following strict functional harmony. Modal chords focus on creating tonal centers and establishing a modal atmosphere. They allow musicians to explore different modes, such as Dorian, Lydian, or Mixolydian, and build chords based on the notes within those modes. Modal harmony provides a spacious and exploratory landscape for improvisation.
It is important to note that the list above represents just a fraction of the vast array of chords used in jazz music. Jazz musicians constantly experiment with chord voicings, inversions, and substitutions, continuously expanding the harmonic possibilities within the genre. Furthermore, individual musicians may develop their own unique chord voicings and extensions, contributing to the ever-evolving nature of jazz harmony.
There is no definitive count of how many jazz chords exist, as the boundaries of jazz harmony are constantly expanding. The foundation of jazz chords includes 7th chords, extended chords, altered chords, suspended chords, and polychords, among others. However, jazz musicians also explore cluster chords, quartal and quintal harmonies, modal chords, and various other harmonic concepts. The beauty of jazz lies in its harmonic complexity, providing musicians with an extensive palette of chords to express their creativity and shape the distinctive sound of jazz music.