The Complete Jazz Theory Course - Jazz Chords/Scales & More from Udemy

By doing this course, you will get a clear overview of jazz theory on a high level, that will help you with your jazz improvisation.

And I know: the word "theory" scares a lot of people. But the way it is done in this course, with very clear explanations and lots of sound samples and examples, make it a pleasure to learn jazz theory.

Why not give it a try? It's without any risk: if for whatever reason this was not the right course for you, you can get a full refund within 30 days after purchase.

So, no need to wait any longer: just hit that enroll button and get access to this complete jazz theory course.

About this course:

This course covers the jazz theory that every jazz musician should know.

This course is for all instrumentalists, whether you're a guitar player, a bass player, a singer, a trumpet player, a piano player, a saxophone player, etcetera, so this course is not focussed on one single instrument.

This is definitely not a course for those who don't know the basics of music theory, you should know about intervals, about the major and natural minor scale, how minor (7th), dominant (7th) and major (7th) chords are formed and you should be able to read sheet music.

This course consists of the following 9 sections:

Introduction (3 lectures)
Adding notes to chords (7 lectures)
Major scale harmony (11 lectures)
Melodic minor scale harmony (13 lectures)
Diminished scale harmony (4 lectures)
Whole tone scale harmony (2 lectures)
Other scales (5 lectures)
Slash chords (4 lectures)
BONUS: Basics of reharmonization (5 lectures)

Course characteristics

Clear explanations by an experienced teacher with:

lots of examples
sound samples of chords & improvisation lines
Summaries of each section, also as downloadable PDF-files

Some of the topics covered in this course

Review of intervals

Review of minor 7th, dominant 7th, major 7th and diminished chords

Adding notes to chords to let them sound more colorful, more 'jazzy'

The altered chord

The modes of major scale harmony

The modes of minor scale harmony

The altered scale

The half/whole and the whole/half diminished scale

The whole tone scale

Slash chords

Basic reharmonization techniques

And much, much more...

What's inside

Learning objectives

You will know how jazz chords are formed
You will know what notes/scales to use for your improvisation/solo

You will understand the relationship between chords and scales
You will learn reharmonization techniques

You will know how jazz chords are formed
You will know what notes/scales to use for your improvisation/solo
You will understand the relationship between chords and scales
You will learn reharmonization techniques

Syllabus

Introduction

Course Introduction

Quick reminders I - Intervals

Quick reminders II - Chords

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Explores jazz theory concepts like altered chords, diminished scales, and reharmonization techniques, which are essential for advanced jazz improvisation

Requires a solid foundation in basic music theory, including intervals, major/minor scales, and chord construction, so prior experience is needed

Covers a wide range of topics, from adding notes to chords to exploring various scales like melodic minor and whole tone, offering a comprehensive understanding

Includes sound samples of chords and improvisation lines, which can help learners internalize theoretical concepts through aural learning

Provides summaries of each section as downloadable PDF files, which allows learners to review and consolidate their knowledge offline

Includes quizzes at the end of each section, which allows learners to test their understanding of the material

Reviews summary

Solid foundation in jazz theory

According to learners, this course provides a solid foundation in jazz theory, covering essential concepts like chords, scales, and modes. Many found the explanations to be exceptionally clear and easy to follow, significantly aiding their understanding. The inclusion of sound examples and PDF summaries is frequently highlighted as a major positive, helping to solidify learning and make concepts practical. While suitable for a wide range of instrumentalists, students emphasize that having basic music theory knowledge is a prerequisite, as the course builds upon these fundamentals. Overall, students describe it as a well-structured and effective way to learn jazz theory, particularly benefiting those looking to improve their improvisation.

Assumes prior music theory knowledge

"Make sure you have a basic understanding of music theory before starting this course."

"As stated in the description, you need to know music theory fundamentals before taking this."

"It's definitely not for absolute beginners to music theory, but great if you have the basics."

Content is logically organized

"The course is very well organized and builds logically from one section to the next."

"The structure of the course flows nicely and makes learning easy."

"Sections are broken down effectively, making the material digestible."

Provides essential theory for jazz

"This course provided me with an excellent foundation for understanding jazz theory."

"It covers all the fundamental jazz theory needed to start improvising effectively."

"A great course to build up your knowledge on jazz theory from a basic level."

Sound samples and examples are very useful

"The sound examples are invaluable for hearing the concepts in action."

"Lots of great sound samples and examples are provided which helps a lot with understanding."

"The examples used throughout the lectures really help solidify the theoretical concepts."

Concepts are explained very clearly

"The instructor explains things very clearly and concisely, making potentially complex topics easy to grasp."

"I really appreciate how clearly the concepts were laid out and explained."

"Every step is explained in an easy-to-understand way, building knowledge incrementally."

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 The Complete Jazz Theory Course - Jazz Chords/Scales & More with these activities:

Review Basic Music Theory

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Reinforce your understanding of fundamental music theory concepts like intervals, scales, and chord construction. This will provide a solid foundation for the more advanced jazz theory covered in the course.

Browse courses on Music Theory

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Review the circle of fifths and key signatures.
Practice identifying intervals by ear.
Construct major and minor scales in all keys.

Explore YouTube Jazz Theory Channels

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Supplement your learning with free online resources. YouTube offers a wealth of jazz theory tutorials from experienced musicians and educators.

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Search for jazz theory channels on YouTube.
Watch videos on topics that you find challenging or interesting.
Take notes on the key concepts and techniques presented in the videos.

Read 'The Jazz Theory Book'

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Supplement your learning with a comprehensive textbook on jazz theory. This book will provide a more in-depth explanation of the concepts covered in the course and offer additional examples and exercises.

View The Jazz Theory Book on Amazon

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Read the chapters relevant to the current course section.
Work through the exercises and examples provided in the book.
Compare the book's explanations with the course material.

Four other activities

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Practice Chord Voicings

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Develop your ability to quickly and accurately play jazz chord voicings. This will improve your comping skills and your understanding of jazz harmony.

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Choose a set of jazz chords from the course material.
Practice playing each chord in different voicings.
Record yourself playing the chords and listen back for accuracy.

Read 'Effortless Mastery'

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Improve your mental approach to playing jazz. This book will help you overcome performance anxiety and achieve a state of flow.

View Becoming the Instrument: Lessons on Self... on Amazon

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Read a chapter of the book each week.
Practice the exercises and techniques described in the book.
Reflect on how the book's concepts apply to your own playing.

Compose a Short Jazz Piece

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Apply your knowledge of jazz theory by composing a short piece. This will help you internalize the concepts and develop your creativity.

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Choose a chord progression from the course material.
Write a melody that fits over the chord progression.
Add a bass line and drum part to create a complete arrangement.
Record your piece and share it with others for feedback.

Jam with Other Musicians

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Apply your knowledge of jazz theory in a real-world setting by jamming with other musicians. This will improve your improvisation skills and your ability to interact with other players.

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Find other musicians who are interested in playing jazz.
Choose a set of jazz standards to play together.
Take turns soloing over the chord changes.
Listen to each other and provide feedback.

Career center

Learners who complete The Complete Jazz Theory Course - Jazz Chords/Scales & More will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Jazz Composer

A Jazz Composer crafts original musical pieces, often involving complex harmonies and improvisational elements. This course helps you build a foundation in jazz theory, which is vital for composing compelling and sophisticated jazz music. Understanding jazz chords, scales, and their relationships helps you create richer and more engaging compositions. Furthermore, the course's coverage of reharmonization techniques is directly applicable to arranging and composing jazz pieces. Learning about melodic minor scale harmony, diminished scale harmony, and whole tone scale harmony may be useful to a jazz composer. With this course, aspirants can gain the theoretical knowledge to become accomplished jazz composers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Jazz Composer

Jazz Instrumentalist

A Jazz Instrumentalist performs live or recorded jazz music, typically specializing in a particular instrument. This course provides a complete overview of jazz theory, that is useful to instrumentalists who want to enhance their improvisational skills and understanding of harmony. The course's focus on chords, scales, and their relationships helps instrumentalists make informed decisions when soloing and comping. Studying the sections on major scale harmony and melodic minor scale harmony may be useful to a jazz instrumentalist. This course may be especially useful for those who wish to elevate their playing to a professional level.

See salaries and explore the career path for Jazz Instrumentalist

Jazz Arranger

A Jazz Arranger adapts existing musical compositions for jazz ensembles, tailoring them to specific instruments and styles. This course provides a solid understanding of jazz theory, essential for crafting effective arrangements. Knowledge of jazz chords, scales, and their relationships helps you create arrangements that are both harmonically interesting and idiomatic to the genre. The course's coverage of reharmonization techniques helps you add your own creative flair to existing melodies. Learning about melodic minor scale harmony may also be useful to a jazz arranger. By enrolling, you can build a strong base of music theory, which will allow you to become a successful jazz arranger.

See salaries and explore the career path for Jazz Arranger

Music Educator

A Music Educator teaches music theory and performance, often specializing in a particular genre such as jazz. This course provides a comprehensive overview of jazz theory, equipping you with the knowledge and tools to effectively teach others. The course's clear explanations, sound samples, and downloadable summaries make it an excellent resource for educators. The course's sections on adding notes to chords will be helpful to a music educator. By mastering jazz theory through this course, aspiring music educators can confidently guide their students in understanding and appreciating jazz music.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Educator

Jazz Vocalist

A Jazz Vocalist sings jazz music, often requiring a strong understanding of improvisation and harmony. This course provides a clear overview of jazz theory, from which jazz vocalists may benefit by understanding the harmonic structure of jazz songs. The knowledge of jazz chords, scales, and reharmonization techniques helps vocalists make informed choices when interpreting and improvising melodies. Vocalists may find the sections on diminished scale harmony and whole tone scale harmony to be useful. By taking this course, aspiring jazz vocalists can deepen their understanding of jazz harmony, leading to more nuanced and expressive performances.

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Studio Musician

A Studio Musician performs in recording sessions, often requiring versatility and a strong understanding of music theory. This course may be useful in expanding your theoretical knowledge of jazz, thus increasing your marketability as a studio musician. The detailed exploration of jazz chords, scales, and reharmonization techniques may allow you to tackle diverse musical styles with confidence. The knowledge of diminished scale harmony and whole tone scale harmony may be helpful to a studio musician. Aspiring studio musicians can leverage their improved jazz theory skills to secure more gigs and excel in the recording industry.

See salaries and explore the career path for Studio Musician

Songwriter

A Songwriter writes original songs, often in various genres, and may benefit from jazz theory. By doing this course, songwriters may come to understand jazz theory on a high level, that will help in composing songs with more complex chord progressions and harmonies. The course's focus on jazz chords, scales, and reharmonization techniques may be useful in expanding a songwriter's toolkit. The sections on melodic minor scale harmony, diminished scale harmony, and whole tone scale harmony may be helpful. Aspiring songwriters can use this course to broaden their musical vocabulary and create more unique and sophisticated songs.

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Arranger

An Arranger adapts existing musical compositions for different ensembles or instruments, maintaining the essence of the original piece while adding their own creative touch. This course provides a solid foundation in jazz theory, which may be useful for those looking to create arrangements that incorporate jazz elements. Understanding jazz chords, scales, and their relationships may help arrangers create richer and more interesting harmonic textures. The course's coverage of reharmonization techniques may be helpful in adding a unique flavor to arrangements. Taking this course may be especially useful for those who want to explore jazz arrangements.

See salaries and explore the career path for Arranger

Video Game Composer

A Video Game Composer creates music for video games, often requiring creating diverse and immersive soundtracks. This course may be useful in expanding your musical palette and incorporating jazz elements into your compositions. Understanding jazz chords, scales, and their relationships may provide you with a deeper understanding of harmony and melody. The course's coverage of reharmonization techniques may be useful in creating unique and memorable musical themes. Aspiring video game composers may leverage their knowledge of jazz theory to produce more engaging and innovative soundtracks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Video Game Composer

Film Score Composer

A Film Score Composer creates music for movies, often blending genres to create a fitting atmosphere. This course helps you explore jazz theory, which may be used to create pieces with unique sounds. Understanding jazz chords, scales, and their relationships helps when crafting compositions that evoke specific emotions. This course's reharmonization techniques are directly applicable to composing film scores. One who aspires to this role should use the information about diminished scale harmony and whole tone scale harmony. Taking this course may be especially useful for those who want to explore new sounds.

See salaries and explore the career path for Film Score Composer

Music Director

A Music Director is responsible for the musical aspects of a performance or production, often involving various genres and styles. This course provides you with a clear overview of jazz theory, which may be useful in directing jazz ensembles or integrating jazz elements into other musical settings. The knowledge of jazz chords, scales, and their relationships helps a music director make informed decisions about arrangements and performances. The course's sections on melodic minor scale harmony and diminished scale harmony may increase one's understanding. Taking this course may especially assist those who wish to broaden their musical knowledge.

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Conductor

A Conductor leads an orchestra, band, or choir, interpreting musical scores and guiding rehearsals and performances. This course allows you to get a clear overview of jazz theory, which may be useful in conducting jazz ensembles or incorporating jazz elements into orchestral arrangements. Understanding jazz chords, scales, and reharmonization techniques may allow you to gain insight into the composer's intentions and convey them effectively to the musicians. Aspiring conductors may find the sections on diminished scale harmony and whole tone scale harmony to be helpful. Taking this course may be especially helpful for those who wish to expand their musical expertise.

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Music Producer

A Music Producer oversees the recording and production of music, often working with artists to shape their sound and vision. This course may be useful in expanding your understanding of music theory, which can be applied to a variety of musical genres, including jazz-influenced productions. Understanding jazz chords, scales, and their relationships may allow you to add depth and complexity to your productions. Although not directly applicable, the sections on reharmonization techniques, melodic minor scale harmony, and diminished scale harmony may provide valuable insights into music creation. Taking this course may be especially useful for those who want to broaden their musical horizons.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Producer

A DJ mixes and plays music for audiences, often specializing in a particular genre or style, and may benefit from an understanding of music theory. This Jazz Theory course may enhance your understanding of music theory on a new level, which can lead to more creative and seamless mixing. Understanding jazz chords, scales, and their relationships may help you create unique and engaging DJ sets. Though not directly applicable, the sections on reharmonization techniques, melodic minor scale harmony, and diminished scale harmony may provide valuable insights into music creation. Taking this course may be especially useful for those who want to bring a unique perspective to their DJing.

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A and R Representative

An A and R Representative discovers and develops new musical talent for record labels, often requiring a broad understanding of various music genres. This course helps facilitate a basic understanding of jazz theory, which may be useful in identifying and nurturing jazz artists. While not directly applicable to all aspects of the role, a foundational understanding of jazz chords and scales may provide insights into the artist's musical style and potential. The sections on reharmonization techniques, melodic minor scale harmony, and diminished scale harmony may not be immediately relevant, but could still contribute to a more well-rounded musical knowledge base. Taking this course may be helpful for A and R Representatives who wish to broaden their understanding of jazz music.

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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 The Complete Jazz Theory Course - Jazz Chords/Scales & More.

The Jazz Theory Book

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Comprehensive guide to jazz theory, covering everything from basic chord voicings to advanced harmonic concepts. It delves into scales, chord progressions, and improvisation techniques, making it an excellent companion for understanding the theoretical underpinnings of jazz. It is commonly used as a textbook in jazz studies programs.

The Jazz Theory Book

Spiral-bound

Becoming the Instrument

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While not strictly a theory book, "Effortless Mastery" explores the mental and emotional aspects of jazz improvisation. It encourages a more intuitive and less analytical approach to playing, which can complement the theoretical knowledge gained from the course. is more valuable as additional reading to enhance the learning experience.

Becoming the Instrument: Lessons on Self-Mastery...

Paperback

Becoming the Instrument: Lessons on Self-Mastery...

Kindle Edition

The Complete Jazz Theory Course - Jazz Chords/Scales & More

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

Traffic lights

Save this course

Reviews summary

Solid foundation in jazz theory

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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