Jazz harmony can feel overwhelming when every chord seems to have a different name, extension, or shape.

In this lesson, you’ll see how many of these chords grow from familiar triads and 7th chords, then explore movable voicings you can use in real progressions.

Understanding jazz chords and chord extensions

Many jazz chord voicings build from familiar triads and 7th chords, then add, alter, or sometimes omit notes to create different harmonic colors.

Understanding the chord tones underneath the shape helps you see how these larger chord names connect to structures you already know.

Before looking at the larger voicings, here is a quick reference for the basic chord structures they grow from.

• Major chord – 1, 3, 5. For example, C Major has the notes C, E, and G.
• minor chord – 1, b3, 5. For example, C minor has the notes C, Eb, and G.
• Diminished chord – 1, b3, b5. For example, C diminished has the notes C, Eb, and Gb.
• Augmented chord – 1, 3, #5. For example, C augmented has the notes C, E, and G#.

If we take this one step further and add another note to the basic structure we get 6th and 7th chords such as:

• Major 6 chord – 1, 3, 5, 6. Example: C Major 6 has the notes C, E, G, and A.
• Minor 6 chord – 1, b3, 5, 6. Example: C minor 6 has the notes C, Eb, G, and A.
• Major 7 chord – 1, 3, 5, 7. Example: C Major 7 has the notes C, E, G, and B.
• Dominant 7 chord – 1, 3, 5, b7. Example: C 7 has the notes C, E, G, and Bb.
• Minor 7 chord – 1, b3, 5, b7. Example: C minor 7 has the notes C, Eb, G, and Bb.
• Minor 7 b5 chord – 1, b3, b5, b7. Example: C minor 7 b5 has the notes C, Eb, Gb, and Bb.
• Diminished 7 chord – 1, b3, b5, 6. The 6 is enharmonically the same pitch as the theoretical diminished 7th (bb7). Example: C diminished 7 has C, Eb, Gb, and A.

Jazz chords often combine 6th or 7th chord structures with upper extensions such as the 9th, 11th, and 13th to add more color.

• Major 7 (9) – 1, 3, 5, 7, 9. Example: C Major 7 (9) has the notes C, E, G, B, and D.
• Major 7 (9, #11) – 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, #11. Example: C Major 7 (9, #11) has the notes C, E, G, B, D, and F#.
• Major 7 (9, #11, 13) – 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, #11, 13. Example: C Major 7 (9, #11, 13) has the notes C, E, G, B, D, F# and A.

As more extensions are added, the chord name tells you which color tones are being included. On guitar, the goal is usually not to play every possible note at once. The voicing is shaped around the notes that best communicate the chord sound.

You can also apply these upper chord extensions to other chord qualities such as Dominant 7 or minor 7 chords. For example, C 7(9) or C minor 7(9).

You’ll also see related chord tones described as 2, 4, and 6 in some chord structures, while extended 7th chords commonly use the names 9, 11, and 13. The exact chord symbol depends on the structure and function of the voicing.

Jazz voicings often omit notes. Guitar only gives you six strings, and not every chord tone is equally important in every voicing. The goal is to preserve the sound and function of the chord while choosing notes that fit comfortably on the instrument.

7th chords

Before we get into the different upper chord extensions, it would be beneficial to review 7th chord shapes starting on different strings.

To clarify how to read the chord charts, the top horizontal line represents the high E string and the bottom horizontal line represents the low E string. The vertical lines separate each fret. The numbers in the blue dots tell you which fingers to use on the fretting hand. You can check this link for more on how to read guitar notation symbols.

In the charts below, the numbers on the right represent the chord tones related to the root note. All of the shapes are movable and can be applied from different root notes. You can adjust the fingering if a particular chord includes open strings.

7th chords starting on the 6th string

7th chords starting on the 5th string

Choose one Major 7, dominant 7, and minor 7 shape from the charts above. Play all three from the same root and identify the 3rd and 7th in each chord. Listen to how those two notes help define each chord quality.

The following sections are a voicing library for different chord qualities and string sets. Start by choosing one Major 7, one dominant 7, and one minor 7 extended voicing that feel practical under your fingers. Then return to the other shapes as you need more options.

Major 7 chord extensions

Now that we’ve covered 7th chords, let’s look at upper extensions such as the 9th, 11th, and 13th.

The green colored areas and numbers represent the upper chord extensions.

Major 7 chord extensions starting on the 6th string

Major 7 chord extensions starting on the 5th string

A Major chord that includes the 6th and 9th can be written as a 6/9 chord. For example, C 6/9 contains the basic Major chord along with the 6th and 9th.

Another chord that is closely related to the Major 7 is the Major 6 chord. See this other lesson to learn how to play Major 6 chords on guitar.

Choose one Major 7 extended voicing and compare it with a plain Major 7 chord from the same root. Identify the added extension and listen for the specific color it contributes.

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This chart covers how to play:

• Major chords
• Minor chords
• Major 7 chords
• Minor 7 chords
• Dominant chords
• Half diminished chords
• Diminished chords
• Chords starting on all (12) root notes
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Dominant 7 chord extensions

Dominant chord extensions starting on the 6th string

The charts below also include altered dominant sounds using extensions such as b9, #9, #11, and b13. These give you additional tension options once the basic dominant extensions are familiar.

Dominant chord extensions starting on the 5th string

Choose one dominant 7 voicing with a 9th or 13th. Play the plain dominant 7 chord first, then the extended version. Listen to what changes while the dominant quality stays recognizable.

Minor 7 chord extensions

Minor chord extensions starting on the 6th string

Minor chord extensions starting on the 5th string

Choose one minor 7 extended voicing and compare it with a plain minor 7 chord. Name the added extension, then move the voicing to one other root while keeping the same shape.

The next sections expand the same idea into half-diminished and fully diminished harmony. Use these voicings when you encounter those chord qualities in a progression or arrangement.

Half diminished chord extensions

If you don’t know these chords yet, see how to play half diminished chords (aka minor 7 b5) here.

Half diminished chord extensions starting on the 6th string

Half diminished chord extensions starting on the 5th string

Fully diminished chord extensions

For diminished 7 chords, we’ll consider the Major 7 as a chord extension since the original chord tones are 1, b3, b5, and 6 (also referred to as bb7, or double flat 7). The following chord variations might be less commonly known but are still helpful to add here for reference.

Diminished 7 chord extensions starting on the 6th string

Diminished 7 chord extensions starting on the 5th string

Jazz chord progressions on guitar

Here are 6 examples of jazz chord progressions using mostly chords with upper extensions including guitar tabs. The numbers next to the notes on the top staff are fingering suggestions for your fretting hand. If needed, you can refer back to the chord charts to help you play a certain chord shape.

The progression examples below show how these voicings work in context. Focus less on collecting new chord shapes and more on hearing how the chords connect from one voicing to the next.

Start with one progression. Identify the basic chord quality underneath each voicing, then play it slowly enough to keep the chord changes clean.

Jazz chord progression 1

Jazz chord progression 2

Jazz chord progression 3

Jazz chord progression 4

Jazz chord progression 5

Jazz chord progression 6

Choose one progression from this lesson. Play it using the written voicings, then simplify three of the chords to plain Major 7, dominant 7, or minor 7 shapes. Compare the two versions and listen to what the extensions add without losing track of the underlying chord function.

Wrapping up

You don’t build a useful jazz chord vocabulary by memorizing every shape at once. Start with a few voicings you can recognize, move, and use in real progressions.

A strong starting set is one Major 7 extension, one dominant 7 extension, and one minor 7 extension. Know the basic chord underneath each shape and listen to what the added notes contribute.

From there, the larger chord library in this lesson gives you more options for altered dominants, diminished sounds, different string sets, and other harmonic situations.

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