Simplifying Jazz Chords

This lesson shows how you can simplify those big jazz chords and break them down to the core seventh chords or triads. This can be really helpful in negotiating progressions while playing walking basslines or playing chords on bass when there are less notes available over 4 strings.

Stacking 3rds

To Simplify Natural Extensions:

Replace the number 9, 11 or 13 with the number 7. Examples: Cmaj9 – C Maj7 Cmaj11 – C Maj7 Cmaj13 – C Maj7 C9 – C7 C11 – C7 C13 – C7 Cm9 – Cm7 Cm11 – Cm7 Cm13 – Cm7 Chord Progression: Cmaj9 – Am11 – Dm9 – G13 Simplified: Cmaj7 – Am7 – Dm7 – G7

To Simplify Altered Extensions: 

Remove them. Examples: Cmaj7#11 – C Maj7 C7b9 – C7 C7#9 – C7 C7#11 – C7 C7b13 – C7 C7b9#11 – C7 C7b9b13 – C7 Cm7b9 – Cm7 Cm7b13 – Cm7 Cmb9b13 – Cm7

To Simplify A Combination Of Altered & Natural Extensions:

Remove Alterations and Replace Natural 9, 11, 13 with 7. Examples: Cmaj9#11 – Cmaj7 Cmaj13#11 – Cmaj7 C9#11 – C7 C13b9 – C7 C11b9 – C7 Cm9b13 – Cm7 Cm11b9 – Cm7 Warning: Altered 5ths Are NOT Extensions. When Simplifying #5 and b5 must remain in the Chord. Examples: Cmaj9#5 – Cmaj7#5 C7#5b9 – C7#5 C7#5#11 – C7#5 C9#5#11 – C7#5 Cm9b5 – Cm7b5 Cm7b5b9 – Cm7b5 Cm11b5 – Cm7b5 Cm11b5b13 – Cm7b5 Chord Progression: Cmaj7#11 – Am7b13 – Dm7b5b9 – G7b9b13 Simplified: Cmaj7 – Am7 – Dm7b5 – G7

To Simplify Added Note Chords

Remove the 6 or 9 from the symbol (Simplify To Triad). Examples: C6 – C Cadd9 – C C6/9 – C Cm6 – Cm CmAdd9 – Cm Cm6/9 – Cm

Simplifying Seventh Chords Down to Triads:

Maj7 – Major Triad 7 – Major Triad m7 – Minor Triad m(Maj7) – Minor Triad Maj7#5 – Augmented Triad 7#5 – Augmented Triad m7b5 – Diminished Triad Dim7 – Diminished Triad

Backing Tracks

 II V I Altered Simplified

 II V I Altered

 II V I Extended Simplified

 II V I Extended