If you know your scales fluently, this is likely the easiest method.

Add the 7th degree of the major scale built on the root.

For example, even if your song is in a key with flats, if you need a C Major 7 chord, the added note should be a B♮, not a B♭.

Using this method, always mentally place yourself in the key of the root of the chord.

How can you be sure you added the right note? You can use any or all the following quick methods to get the right note every time: Jazzy Major Chords-Step 2: Add major 7th above root The most common note added to major chords in jazz is a major 7th. Instead of playing simple triads with three notes, jazz harmony uses chords containing at least four notes. However, if you need a refresher on triads, check out our Quick Tip on Piano Chords–The Definitive Guide. Jazzy Major Chords-Step 1: Begin with major triad Step 1 is to simply start with a major triad. There are five simple steps to take any major triad and jazz it up. To begin, we’ll look at how to create jazzy major chords for piano. For each chord type, you’ll learn exactly what notes to add or omit and how to get those clusters for that authentic jazz piano sound. In the following sections, we’ll look at the most common piano chords you need to know-major, minor and dominant chords. These are notes that are arranged a ½ step or whole step apart within the voicing and create a distinct, jazzy flavor. Most importantly, jazz piano voicings played by pianists like Bill Evans, Wynton Kelly and Ahmad Jamal frequently contain clusters. Secondly, jazz piano voicings often have omitted notes, such as the root or 5th. These can include the 7th, 9th, 11th, and 13th. What gives jazz piano chords their unique sound? First of all, jazz chords contain added notes compared to those found in classical and pop styles.

Jonny’s 5 steps to instantly make any chord sound jazzy is so simple that you’ll find yourself using it again and again. You’ll learn a straightforward, step-by-step method to build rich-sounding jazz piano voicings for the most common chords you’ll encounter.

Fortunately, today’s Quick Tip is your Complete Guide to Jazz Piano Chords. As a piano student in the internet age, you may have also had this experience in your quest to learn jazz piano chords. Furthermore, the pictures often appear different than your actual device! Before long, you are left frustrated and in search of the complete guide. They generally have lots of pictures and few explanations. Are you eager to play jazz piano? If you’ve purchased any electronics in recent years, you’re probably familiar with the rise of “quick start” guides.

Jazz chords piano chart