If you’re new to jazz guitar, learning easy jazz guitar chords is the best way to get started. This guide will introduce you to must-know jazz voicings, including Shell Voicings, 4-Note Voicings, and Rootless Voicings. By mastering these, you’ll be able to play almost any jazz standard with confidence.
We’ll also apply these easy jazz guitar voicings to the jazz classic Autumn Leaves, making it easier for you to practice in a musical context. Let’s dive in!
Easy jazz guitar chords: shell voicings
Shell Voicings are simplified jazz guitar chord shapes that include only the essential notes: the 3rd and 7th (or 6th). These chords omit the 5th, as it is usually implied.
6 Essential Shell Voicings
In jazz, six essential chord types form the foundation for simple jazz guitar chords:
- Xmaj7 = Root, Major 3rd, Perfect 5th, Major 7th
- Xm7 = Root, Minor 3rd, Perfect 5th, Minor 7th
- X7 = Root, Major 3rd, Perfect 5th, Minor 7th
- Xm(maj7) = Root, Minor 3rd, Perfect 5th, Major 7th
- X6 = Root, Major 3rd, Perfect 5th, Major 6th
- Xm6 = Root, Minor 3rd, Perfect 5th, Major 6th
Form A and Form B Shell Voicings
Jazz guitarists typically organize Shell Voicings into two forms:
Form A Shell Voicings
- Root is on the 6th string (E string)
- Interval order: Root, 7th/6th, 3rd
Form B Shell Voicings
- Root is on the 5th string (A string)
- Interval order: Root, 3rd, 7th/6th
Major and minor iI-V-I Progressions
A great way to get comfortable with easy jazz guitar chords is by practicing them in II-V-I progressions, which are found in almost every jazz standard.
Major II-V-I Progression
Minor II-V-I Progression
Tip: On a Minor II-V-I, we use an Xm7 voicing for IIm7b5, making it incomplete but still functional.
Form A and Form B II-V-I shell Voicings for easy Jazz Guitar chords
To achieve smooth voice leading, we will adjust the form of each chord based on the I chord in the progression. The form used for the I chord determines the entire II-V-I sequence. If the I chord is in Form A, the entire II-V-I progression will follow Form A, and the same applies to Form B.
Form A and B Voicings for Major II-V-I Easy jazz Guitar Chords
Form A and B Voicings for Minor II-V-I Easy jazz Guitar Chords
This approach ensures consistent and fluid transitions between chords, making it easier to navigate jazz standards with strong harmonic movement.
Jazz Guitar Shell Voicings Applied to Autumn Leaves
To see how easy jazz guitar chords work in context, here’s a small etude applying Shell Voicings to the first eight bars of Autumn Leaves:
4-Note Voicings: Expanding Your easy Jazz guitar Chords
Once you’ve mastered Shell Voicings, the next step is adding an extra note for richer harmonies. These notes can be tensions (9ths, 11ths, 13ths) or chord tones (Root, 3rd, 5th, 7th/6th).
4-Note Voicings for Major and Minor II-V-I
Major II-V-I (Form A & B)
Minor II-V-I (Form A & B)
Note: For IIm7b5 in Form B, we swap the b3 and b5 for smoother voice-leading.
Applying 4-Note Voicings to Autumn Leaves
Here’s an etude demonstrating 4-Note Voicings over the first eight bars of Autumn Leaves:
Rootless Voicings: easy jazz guitar chords Without the Bass Note
When playing with a bass player, it’s best to avoid playing the root note, as it can clutter the mix. Rootless Voicings solve this by eliminating the root from 4-Note Voicings but keeping it an easy jazz guitar chord.
Rootless Voicings for Major and Minor II-V-I
Major II-V-I (Form A & B)
Minor II-V-I (Form A & B)
Applying Rootless Voicings to Autumn Leaves
Here’s an etude demonstrating Rootless Voicings over Autumn Leaves:
Conclusion
By studying these easy jazz guitar chords, you’ll build a strong foundation in jazz guitar. Remember to practice these voicings in all 12 keys using the cycle of 4ths, and apply them to as many jazz standards as possible.
Keep Practicing and Have Fun! 🎸
