An essential jazz improvisation skill is to play “add 9” chord voicings for the major 2-5-1 chord progression in all keys…
Major 2-5-1 Chord Progression: “add 9” Chord Voicings
In order to achieve a jazzier sound, it is customary to add color tones to the basic seventh chords. A standard way to do so is to add “the 9” to each 7th chord in the progression as follows:
- Dm7 (D F A C) + E = Dm7,9 (D F A C E)
- G7 (G B D F) + A = G7,9 (G B D F A).
- CM7 (C E G B) + D = CM7,9 (C E G B D).
Major 2-5-1 “add 9” Chord Voicing Variation #1
Notice that the 9s are added and all the roots are dropped in the right hand…
Variation #1 Rootless Left Hand Voicings
Now play the right hand above as a rootless left-hand voicing, leaving your right hand free to play the melody or improvise…
Major 2-5-1 “add 9” Chord Voicing Variation #2
Again, notice that the roots are dropped in the right hand…
Variation #2 Rootless Left Hand Voicings
Now play the right hand above as a rootless left-hand voicing, leaving your right hand free to play the melody or improvise…
Homework: Using your knowledge of the major scales and chord structure (and your ears of course), play this pattern in all keys around the cycle of dominants: C, F, Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, B, E, A D, G…
Learning by doing in this manner will build an enormous scale and chord vocabulary that integrates visio-spatial keyboard awareness, ear training, technique, and rhythm… and lays a rock solid foundation for fluent improvisation.
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