Jazz Guitar Chord Theory (part 4)

In jazz guitar chord theory part 3 we had a look at chord tensions.
In part 4 we'll summarize the chord formulas and have a look at some examples.



Here's a summary of the chord formulas we covered until now + some additional chord types :

Chord Type	Chord Formula
Major Triad	1     3      5
Minor Triad	1    b3     5
Diminished Triad	1    b3    b5
Augmented Triad	1    3     #5
Major 7	1     3      5     7
Minor 7	1    b3    5    b7
Dominant 7	1     3     5    b7
Half Diminished 7	1    b3    b5    b7
Diminished 7	1    b3    b5   bb7
Augmented 7	1    3     #5    b7
Suspended 4	1    4       5    b7
minor/major 7	1    b3       5    7

In jazz guitar chord theory part 1we saw the first way to construct chords.
Here's anther way :

1. The first step is memorizing the chords and chord tones of the C major scale and the chord formula's:
   
   

   Cmaj7	C    E    G    B
   Dm7	D    F    A    C
   Em7	E    G    B    D
   Fmaj7	F    A    C    E
   G7	G    B    D    F
   Am7	A    C    E    G
   Bm7b5	B    D    F    A

   
   
   You must be able to picture the chord types and chord tones of C major without thinking.
   
   
2. Now that you know the chords of C major, it's easy to find chords of other keys.
   
   For example : to find the chord tones of Cm7 :
   
   
   1. You know the chord tones of Cmaj7 : C E G B
   2. You know the chord formula of Cmaj7 : 1 3 5 7
   3. You know the chord formula of minor 7 : 1 b3 5 b7
   4. Adapt the chord tones of Cmaj7 to the formula of minor 7 : bring the 3 and the 7 a half step down
   5. Conclusion : the chord tones of Cm7 are : C Eb G Bb
   
   
   Example 2 : the chord tones of Ddim7 :
   1. You know the chord tones of Dm7 : D F A C
   2. You know the formula of Dm7 : 1 b3 5 b7
   3. You know the formula of diminished 7 : 1 b3 b5 bb7
   4. Adapt the chord tones of Dm7 to the formula of diminished 7 : bring the 5 and the 7 a half step down
   5. Conclusion : the chord tones of Ddim7 are : D F Ab B
   
   
   Example 3 : the chord tones of F#7 :
   1. You know the chord tones of Fmaj7 : F A C E
   2. To find the chord tones of F#maj7 you just have to raise each chord tone a half step : F# A# C# E#
   3. You know the formula of major 7 : 1 3 5 7
   4. You know the formula of dominant 7 : 1 3 5 b7
   5. Adapt the chord tones of F#maj7 to the formula of dominant 7 : bring the 7 a half step down
   6. Conclusion : the chord tones of F#7 are : F# A# C# E
   
   
   

Part 5 of jazz guitar chord theory : applying the chord theory on guitar  

  Return to guitar chord theory part 3