We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.
N B Guitarist
This is complete jazz beginner first steps for intermediate level guitarist for learning Jazz chords.
For guitarists who have been playing for at least 6 months in the best case of scenario.
Often people start learning jazz only after 3 years of playing and often even later than that.
This is also for people who knows some of the jazz chords, but doesn't know how chords are build.
You need to be able to play bar chords already. But of course, you can start in this course also...
Make sure your tone is clean.
Read more
This is complete jazz beginner first steps for intermediate level guitarist for learning Jazz chords.
For guitarists who have been playing for at least 6 months in the best case of scenario.
Often people start learning jazz only after 3 years of playing and often even later than that.
This is also for people who knows some of the jazz chords, but doesn't know how chords are build.
You need to be able to play bar chords already. But of course, you can start in this course also...
Make sure your tone is clean.
Read more
This is complete jazz beginner first steps for intermediate level guitarist for learning Jazz chords.
For guitarists who have been playing for at least 6 months in the best case of scenario.
Often people start learning jazz only after 3 years of playing and often even later than that.
This is also for people who knows some of the jazz chords, but doesn't know how chords are build.
You need to be able to play bar chords already. But of course, you can start in this course also...
Make sure your tone is clean.
You will also learn more notes across the fretboard and it will lead you closer to Fretboard fluency.
This free course covers 7th chords in key of C from 5th string root. I also cover what notes and what degrees each chord contains.
Learn new voicings to continue your guitarist journey.
Learn some music theory.
I include a test to test your music knowledge also.
There are tabs and music notation and chord diagrams included in videos as well as for downloads.
You will need to devote some time to practice.
Don't forget the metronome.
The Teacher Nora is nearly 40 years old ( at the time of filming this course..) and have 25 years of experience of playing and teaching guitar, including 22+ years of playing professionally.
See you in the course.
Register for this course and see more details by visiting:
OpenCourser.com/course/0kykvt/starting
What's inside
Learning objectives
- Expand your chord and theory vocabulary
- Learn music theory in the process
- With fretboard fluency tips
- Learn notes on the fretboard
- 7 chord structure
- Jazz chords
- Maj7 , 7, m7 and m7b5 chord shapes
- Key of c
- Jazz guitar beginner course
- Expand your chord and theory vocabulary
- Learn music theory in the process
- With fretboard fluency tips
- Learn notes on the fretboard
- 7 chord structure
- Jazz chords
- Maj7 , 7, m7 and m7b5 chord shapes
- Key of c
- Jazz guitar beginner course
Syllabus
You will learn chords used in Jazz music. First step into jazz guitar. You will also learn music theory and what notes and degrees each of the chord have.
Read more
Syllabus
You will learn chords used in Jazz music. First step into jazz guitar. You will also learn music theory and what notes and degrees each of the chord have.
Read more
Traffic lights
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause and
possible dealbreakers
Assumes learners can already play bar chords, which is a common skill for guitarists who have been playing for at least six months
Focuses on 7th chords in the key of C, which are foundational elements in jazz music and provide a solid starting point
Integrates music theory concepts alongside chord shapes, helping learners understand the 'why' behind the 'what' of jazz guitar
Includes fretboard fluency tips and helps learners learn notes across the fretboard, which are essential for improvisation and advanced playing
Explores various voicings and voice leading ideas, which can help guitarists create more interesting and complex chord progressions
Requires learners to devote time to practice and use a metronome, which are essential for developing good timing and technique
Save this course
Create your own learning path.
Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.
Save
Save
Reviews summary
Introduction to jazz chords & theory
According to students, this course offers a solid introduction to jazz chords and music theory for guitarists. Learners found it particularly useful as a first step into jazz guitar, covering basic 7th chords in the key of C and explaining what notes build each chord. The inclusion of music theory explanations and fretboard knowledge is frequently highlighted as a significant benefit. While reviews are largely positive for beginners to the genre, some intermediate players looking for more depth or application might find it only a starting point.
Course is limited to one key.
"The course focuses specifically on the key of C, which is useful for learning the basics but doesn't cover transposition."
"Learned the chords in C, now I need to find resources to learn how to move them to other keys."
"While the depth on C is good, I wish it touched on how these concepts apply more broadly across the fretboard."
Diagrams, tabs, and notation are useful.
"The included tabs and chord diagrams were essential for practicing the shapes and voicings discussed."
"Having the music notation alongside the tabs was great for seeing how the chords fit into a musical context."
"The downloads provided a quick reference guide while practicing along with the videos."
Theory concepts are explained simply.
"The way the instructor explained the music theory behind the chords made so much sense. Not just shapes, but *why*."
"I finally understand what notes are in a Maj7 or m7 chord thanks to the theory lessons."
"Learning the degrees within each chord was a real eye-opener and helped me understand the fretboard better."
Excellent starting point for jazz guitar.
"This course is exactly what I needed as a guitarist who has never touched jazz before. It provides a clear entry point."
"If you're completely new to jazz chords and theory, this is a perfect place to start building that foundational knowledge."
"I've been playing guitar for years but was intimidated by jazz. This course broke it down into manageable first steps."
Could use more song application.
"Learned the chords and theory, but I'm still figuring out how to actually use them in real jazz songs or progressions."
"It's a theory and chord shapes course; don't expect to be soloing over standards afterwards."
"Could benefit from some simple examples of chord progressions or turnarounds using the covered chords."
Assumes familiarity with basic guitar.
"You really need to be comfortable with bar chords before starting this, as mentioned in the description."
"Not for absolute guitar beginners. You need some playing experience under your belt."
"The pace assumes you can already find notes on the fretboard reasonably well."
Activities
Be better prepared
before
your course. Deepen your understanding
during
and
after
it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered
in Starting with Jazz Chords on Guitar! 7 Chords & Music Theory with these
activities:
Review Basic Music Theory
Show steps
Strengthen your understanding of fundamental music theory concepts like scales, intervals, and key signatures to better grasp the jazz chord progressions taught in the course.
Browse courses on
Music Theory
Show steps
-
Review major and minor scales.
-
Study intervals and their qualities.
-
Learn about key signatures and the circle of fifths.
Practice Barre Chords
Show steps
Improve your barre chord technique to ensure you can play the jazz chords smoothly and efficiently.
Show steps
-
Practice common barre chord shapes (E and A forms).
-
Focus on clean and consistent sound.
-
Use a metronome to improve timing.
Read 'Jazz Guitar Comping'
Show steps
Deepen your understanding of jazz guitar comping techniques, which will enhance your ability to play in ensemble settings.
View
Jazz Guitar Comping
on Amazon
Show steps
-
Read the sections on chord voicings and comping rhythms.
-
Practice the exercises provided in the book.
-
Apply the techniques to real jazz standards.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Compose a Short Jazz Progression
Show steps
Apply the jazz chords you've learned to create your own original jazz progression, solidifying your understanding of chord relationships and voice leading.
Show steps
-
Choose a key and create a chord progression using the 7th chords learned in the course.
-
Experiment with different voicings and rhythms.
-
Record yourself playing the progression.
Practice Jazz Chord Progressions with a Friend
Show steps
Practice playing jazz chord progressions with a friend to improve your timing, coordination, and ability to listen and respond to other musicians.
Show steps
-
Find a friend who also plays guitar or another instrument.
-
Choose a jazz standard or create your own progression.
-
Take turns comping and soloing over the progression.
Explore Advanced Jazz Chord Voicings
Show steps
Seek out online tutorials that demonstrate more advanced jazz chord voicings and techniques to expand your harmonic palette.
Show steps
-
Search for tutorials on YouTube or other online platforms.
-
Focus on voicings that incorporate extensions and alterations.
-
Practice applying these voicings to jazz standards.
Study 'The Jazz Theory Book'
Show steps
Expand your knowledge of jazz theory with a comprehensive textbook that covers advanced concepts and techniques.
View
The Jazz Theory Book
on Amazon
Show steps
-
Read the chapters on harmony and chord voicings.
-
Work through the exercises and examples provided in the book.
-
Apply the concepts to your own playing and compositions.
Review Basic Music Theory
Show steps
Strengthen your understanding of fundamental music theory concepts like scales, intervals, and key signatures to better grasp the jazz chord progressions taught in the course.
Browse courses on
Music Theory
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Review major and minor scales.
- Study intervals and their qualities.
- Learn about key signatures and the circle of fifths.
Practice Barre Chords
Show steps
Improve your barre chord technique to ensure you can play the jazz chords smoothly and efficiently.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Practice common barre chord shapes (E and A forms).
- Focus on clean and consistent sound.
- Use a metronome to improve timing.
Read 'Jazz Guitar Comping'
Show steps
Deepen your understanding of jazz guitar comping techniques, which will enhance your ability to play in ensemble settings.
View
Jazz Guitar Comping
on Amazon
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Read the sections on chord voicings and comping rhythms.
- Practice the exercises provided in the book.
- Apply the techniques to real jazz standards.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Compose a Short Jazz Progression
Show steps
Apply the jazz chords you've learned to create your own original jazz progression, solidifying your understanding of chord relationships and voice leading.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Choose a key and create a chord progression using the 7th chords learned in the course.
- Experiment with different voicings and rhythms.
- Record yourself playing the progression.
Practice Jazz Chord Progressions with a Friend
Show steps
Practice playing jazz chord progressions with a friend to improve your timing, coordination, and ability to listen and respond to other musicians.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Find a friend who also plays guitar or another instrument.
- Choose a jazz standard or create your own progression.
- Take turns comping and soloing over the progression.
Explore Advanced Jazz Chord Voicings
Show steps
Seek out online tutorials that demonstrate more advanced jazz chord voicings and techniques to expand your harmonic palette.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Search for tutorials on YouTube or other online platforms.
- Focus on voicings that incorporate extensions and alterations.
- Practice applying these voicings to jazz standards.
Study 'The Jazz Theory Book'
Show steps
Expand your knowledge of jazz theory with a comprehensive textbook that covers advanced concepts and techniques.
View
The Jazz Theory Book
on Amazon
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Read the chapters on harmony and chord voicings.
- Work through the exercises and examples provided in the book.
- Apply the concepts to your own playing and compositions.
Career center
Learners who complete Starting with Jazz Chords on Guitar! 7 Chords & Music Theory will develop knowledge and skills
that may be useful to these careers:
Jazz Guitarist
Jazz Guitarist
A Jazz Guitarist performs jazz music in various settings, such as clubs, concerts, and festivals. As a jazz guitarist, one is expected to improvise, play chord melodies, and be able to comp. This course helps guitarists learn jazz chords, music theory, and fretboard fluency. The course's structure, which covers 7th chords, voicings, and music theory, provides a well-rounded approach to learning jazz guitar, which is essential for a jazz guitarist. The course's emphasis on practice helps you develop the necessary skills and techniques to excel as a jazz guitarist.
Bandleader
Bandleader
A Bandleader leads and manages a musical ensemble. This course, with its focus on jazz chords and music theory, helps build a foundation in jazz guitar, which may be useful for leading a jazz band. The course's structure, which covers 7th chords, voicings, and music theory, provides a well-rounded approach to learning jazz guitar. If you wish to lead a band that plays jazz standards, this course may be useful.
Private Music Instructor
Private Music Instructor
Private Music Instructors provide one-on-one music lessons to students of all ages and skill levels. If you are a guitarist, you may enjoy being a private music instructor. This course may be useful to private music instructors that specialize in jazz guitar. Given that the course covers jazz chords, music theory, and fretboard fluency, it may help you teach jazz guitar effectively. The included tabs, music notation, and chord diagrams provide valuable resources that you can share with your students to enhance their learning experience.
Freelance Musician
Freelance Musician
Freelance Musicians work on a variety of musical projects on a contract basis. As a freelance musician, it is important to keep an open mind when finding gigs. This course introduces intermediate-level guitarists to jazz chords and music theory, which can be beneficial to the freelance musician. The course coverage of 7th chords in the key of C, along with music theory and fretboard knowledge, helps you to quickly pick up jazz guitar parts. You might find the course's focus on music theory valuable, as it will help you to more quickly grasp jazz harmony.
Guitar Teacher
Guitar Teacher
If you aspire to become a Guitar Teacher, this course may be useful. As a guitar teacher, you will guide students of all levels in developing their guitar skills, teaching them techniques, music theory, and repertoire. This course, with its focus on jazz chords, music theory, and fretboard fluency, helps you build a solid foundation in jazz guitar, enabling you to effectively teach these concepts to your students. The included tabs, music notation, and chord diagrams provide valuable resources that you can share with your students to enhance their learning experience. The course's structure, which covers 7th chords, voicings, and music theory, provides a well-rounded approach to learning jazz guitar, which is particularly relevant for a guitar teacher specializing in jazz.
Session Musician
Session Musician
The role of a Session Musician involves playing guitar in recording sessions for various artists and projects. This course may be useful for those considering a career as a session musician. This will allow them to adapt to different musical styles including jazz. The course's content, including jazz chords, music theory, and fretboard fluency, helps you to handle jazz guitar parts with confidence and creativity. This course may also help you understand the harmonic and melodic aspects of jazz, allowing you to contribute effectively to recording sessions. Furthermore, the course's emphasis on practice and the use of a metronome helps musicians develop the precision and timing required for session work.
Composer
Composer
A Composer creates original musical works. This course may be useful for composers who want to learn jazz chords and music theory. The course's coverage of 7th chords, music theory, and fretboard fluency helps you in composing jazz pieces. The course may also help you explore new harmonic possibilities and create unique and innovative compositions. For those composers who wish to incorporate jazz elements into their work, this course may be a starting point to explore harmonic language.
Music Arranger
Music Arranger
A Music Arranger adapts and modifies existing musical compositions for different instruments or ensembles. The course introduces intermediate-level guitarists to jazz chords and music theory, which can be beneficial to the music arranger. The course's coverage of 7th chords in the key of C, along with music theory and fretboard knowledge, helps you to create arrangements. You might find the course's focus on music theory particularly valuable, as it will help you understand the underlying structure of jazz compositions and how to effectively arrange them for guitar. With time and practice, arrangers could find themselves arranging jazz music with greater speed and nuance.
Music Transcriber
Music Transcriber
Music Transcribers listen to recordings and create written transcriptions of the music. This course may be useful to Music Transcribers wanting to focus on jazz pieces. With its focus on jazz chords and music theory, the course may help refine your ability to notate complex jazz harmonies and rhythms accurately. The course's content may also help you understand the structure of jazz chords and how they are used, which helps with transcription.
Music Store Sales Associate
Music Store Sales Associate
Music Store Sales Associates sell musical instruments and equipment to customers. If you are a guitar player, you may want to work as a music store sales associate to sell a product you know and love. This course may be useful to music store sales associates that want to build their knowledge of jazz guitar. The course may help you communicate with jazz guitar customers, recommend instruments and equipment, and provide basic advice and guidance.
Music Journalist
Music Journalist
Music Journalists write about music for newspapers, magazines, websites, or other media outlets. Music Journalists communicate with their audience about their favorite music styles, which may include jazz. This course may be useful if you are a music journalist that is interested in learning more about jazz music. The course's coverage of jazz chords and music theory helps you to write articles, reviews, or features about jazz music. The course content may also help you to analyze and critique jazz guitar playing with greater insight and expertise.
Music Supervisor
Music Supervisor
Music Supervisors select and license music for films, television shows, and other media projects. Understanding the nuances of various musical styles is a plus for music supervisors. If you are or plan to be a music supervisor, this course may be useful for expanding one's knowledge of jazz guitar. The course, which introduces jazz chords and music theory, may enrich your ability to select and license music for your projects.
Sound Engineer
Sound Engineer
Sound Engineers record, mix, and master audio for music, film, and other media. Sound engineers that work with guitarists or other jazz musicians may find this course useful. While primarily focused on guitar skills, the course may improve your understanding of jazz guitar and tone. Also, if you're a sound engineer that plays guitar as a hobby, this course may be useful to improve your jazz guitar skills as well.
Music Therapist
Music Therapist
Music Therapists use music to address patients' physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs. This course, while not directly related to therapy, may be useful to music therapists who want to incorporate jazz guitar into their practice. This course may help music therapists learn jazz chords and music theory, which could then be used in therapeutic settings. The course may also help you explore the use of jazz guitar in promoting relaxation, emotional expression, and cognitive stimulation in patients.
Musical Instrument Repair Technician
Musical Instrument Repair Technician
Musical Instrument Repair Technicians repair and maintain musical instruments, including guitars. This course may be useful if you are a musical instrument repair technician that wants to expand their awareness of jazz guitar. Although the course is not directly related to instrument repair, you may find there is an indirect benefit to understanding the instrument that you service. The course's content may help you communicate more effectively with jazz guitarists about their instruments and their specific needs.
For more career information including salaries, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/0kykvt/starting
Reading list
We've selected two books
that we think will supplement your
learning. Use these to
develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a
deeper understanding of the topics covered in
Starting with Jazz Chords on Guitar! 7 Chords & Music Theory.
Save
Comprehensive resource for jazz theory, covering topics such as harmony, melody, and rhythm. It delves into advanced concepts that build upon the fundamentals taught in the course. This book is commonly used as a textbook at academic institutions. It is highly recommended for students who want to deepen their understanding of jazz theory and apply it to their playing.
Save
Provides a comprehensive guide to jazz guitar comping techniques. It covers various chord voicings, rhythms, and approaches to accompanying other musicians. While not strictly necessary for the course, it offers valuable insights into the practical application of jazz chords in a musical context. It is best used as additional reading to expand on the concepts introduced in the course.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/0kykvt/starting
Share
Similar courses
Similar courses are unavailable at this time. Please try again later.
Our mission
OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.
Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.
Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.
Affiliate disclosure
We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.
Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.
Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.
© 2016 - 2025 OpenCourser