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Jazz Voicings

Learn important ways of voicing chords for different styles of playing jazz.

An overhead shot of a woman playing piano.

3-Note Jazz Piano Voicings

3-note jazz voicings are the simplest way to play 7th chords. They are great for beginners, but don't underestimate them -- the professionals use them all the time too.

Josh Walsh
Josh Walsh on Sep 29, 2020
An overhead photo of my hands playing a sharp 11 chord

How to use Sharp-11 Chords

A sharp-11 chord can be little intimidating of a concept, especially if you are new to playing jazz, but it's actually one of the most common ways to color major and dominant chords. In this article, we’ll explore various ways to use this chord in your playing.

Josh Walsh
Josh Walsh on Aug 09, 2020
A woman playing an upright piano

How Sus Chords Work and When To Play Them

Sus-chords were first used in classical music to delay the resolution of a cadence. Jazz musicians use sus-voicings in many different scenarios.

Josh Walsh
Josh Walsh on Apr 17, 2020
An overhead shot of a woman playing piano.

How to Voice Dominant 7th Chords

Dominant 7th chords are the most exciting and colorful chords in jazz. The fundamental voicings are used in all jazz standards, and altered extensions provide endless varieties to get creative.

Josh Walsh
Josh Walsh on Mar 28, 2020
Hands playing a piano from up close

How to Voice Major 7th Chords

Major chords can be voiced using a number of techniques, including shells, rootless voicings, 6/9 voicings, extended voicings with the sharp-11th, fourth voicings, and more.

Josh Walsh
Josh Walsh on Mar 28, 2020
Overhead view of a pianists hands on a piano keyboard

How to Voice Minor 7th Chords

Minor chords can be voiced using a number of techniques, including shells, rootless voicings, extended voicings with the 11th, fourth voicings, and more.

Josh Walsh
Josh Walsh on Mar 28, 2020
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