Jazz Fingerings

[m78w]

Hi Everyone, I received an email asking about what left hand fingerings I recomend for jazz chord voicings. I thought it was a great question so I wanted to let everyone in on the conversation.

Here are the two rules I live by when working out left hand fingerings for a chord melody or comping etude. If anyone has any other rules or suggesions by all means add to the list.

1) Always use consecutive fingers. This means that if a chord is built from the index finger forward, use the left hand fingers in 1234 order, and if they're built back from the pinky use 4321. So if the chord was F13 like so:

1x123x

I would finger it just like it's written, first finger barring the first fret, then the second finger on the A, second fret third sting, and the third finger on the D, third fret second string. By doing so, in this or other situation, the pinky is now free to add a note to the top of the chord, the 9th, G, on the second fret of the first string for example.


2) If there are two notes on the same fret but different swings always use a barre where possible. Looking at the F13 chord above, some people might finger this chord using all four fingers like so, index middle ring pinky. Though this might work out for this chord, it handcuffs our left hand as we are not able to add notes to the chord given. So that is why I would barre the first fret and then use 2 and 3 on the other two notes.

These aren't the be all and end all but they've helped me out when looking for practical left hand fingerings for CM's and comping etudes.

MW

[Sailor]

Matt, I noticed in one of your videos, close-up, (corcovado?), that you have a classical thumbnail. Do you still maintain P-I-M-A?? Also do you generally alternate fingers, avoid string crossings, etc.... with right hand?? Just curious.

Sailor

[m78w]

I definately keep good sized nails on my right hand, even my pinky. They're not as long as Lenny Breau's but definately longer than Aaron Shearer would be cool with.

I alternate I and M on my right hand for single notes and throw in my thumb when I get to the low strings. I use my thumb for any/all bass lines and the lowest notes of chords, then I use the other four fingers as needed to play the notes of the chords.

MW