5 Basic Jazz Chord Exercises That You Want To Know

There is something special about how we play chords in Jazz. A part of that is the jazz chords themselves but another part that is just as important is how you play those chords. This video is going over 5 basic jazz guitar exercises that you can play and get started developing your Jazz chord skills. Some of them you probably know and some of them you can add to your playing.

I am using parts of songs to demonstrate this, so going through these exercises will also help you get started learning Jazz Standards which is another important part of learning Jazz.

Jazz Chords - A Simple But Amazing Solution You Want To Know:
One of the great things about Jazz Chords is that if you learn even just a few basic jazz chords then you can open them up and add things to them in ways that sound really great.

Get the PDF on my website:

Or Check out the PDf and GuitarPro files on Patreon:

Content:
0:00 Intro
0:34 #1 Shell-voicings - 6 chords in 30 seconds
1:18 - Exercise on Afternoon In Paris
1:56 #2 Great Basic Rhythm - Charleston
2:12 - Exercise on Satin Doll
3:07 #3 Two layers and More Groove
3:26 - Exercise on Take The A-train
3:57 #4 Bossa Nova
4:19 - Exercise on Girl From Ipanema
5:10 #5 Walking Bass - A Complete Groove
5:30 - Exercise on Autumn Leaves
5:48 More Shell-voicing videos
5:56 Like the video? Check out my Patreon page

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My name is Jens Larsen, Danish Jazz Guitarist, and Educator. The videos on this channel will help you explore and enjoy Jazz. Some of it is how to play jazz guitar, but other videos are more on Music Theory like Jazz Chords or advice on how to practice and learn Jazz, on guitar or any other instrument.

The videos are mostly jazz guitar lessons, but also music theory, analysis of songs and videos on jazz guitars.

My Gear:

[skinnykarlos]

Whilst I don't want to sound sycophantic, I really appreciate the lessons that you offer to those of us who might not be as financially able to have one to one jazz lessons. I know that a lot of time goes into putting these together, editing, scoring and arranging etc and what with offering the PDFs as well is just, well, gravy for many of us. I've learned a lot from your lessons and continue to. Thanks, Jens.

[TomRubicon]

It took me an hour to learn to play everything up and including the walking bass arrangement. I feel like a new world is opening up, looking at music like this. Very very happy to have discovered your channel. Thanks so much for making the "mythical beast" that jazz is for me, accessible and ... dare I say FUN :)

[seanfitzpatrick]

Yours are among the very best lessons available on YouTube.

[TRHARTAmericanArtist]

Jens is undoubtedly the best jazz instructor on the internet. Thanks so much.

[eddyhall]

I've been playing all my life. I was the guitar player for the band Cameo in the US and I always wanted to play jazz and have always tried to learn and your the first person that has made it so clearly. I grew up playing and jamming with the musicians in Heart so it shows you that it doesn't matter where or who you been with but where you are right now. Thanks so much for the lessons.

[johngardiner]

My dad. God rest his soul was a big jazz fan. I got all his records. I'd love to play in his name

[gregoryvalente]

Never have I seen such a straightforward and comprehensible, yet informative guitarist on YouTube who is absolutely free to watch. Totally earned a new subscriber; I look forward to watching every last video you upload!

[kenneth]

I’ve been a rock n roll’r for 15 years + on guitar. I’ve recently started taking jazz guitar lessons and truly love the nuances

[jeffreyquinonez]

this literally got me started playing jazz. without any boring bs or overwhelming my brain wow thank you :O :)

[francesco]

I'm playing jazz for the first time in my life thanks to your videos. Here I have found simple and clear explanations.

[khay]

For someone like me who’s super impatient, this video is perfect, very straight to the point and exactly in time.

[Jamsville]

“Rhythm is more important than notes” preach!!!!

[jamesstewart]

Jens I've been playing for 40 years and really enjoy your videos. Cheers James.

[mirimomekiku]

After a year, this video is still as relevant as when I first watched it! Thank you VERY much for your videos!

[coolguycorbproductions]

Seriously this is the best tutorial I've seen on jazz rhythms so far. You can tell you aren't just pulling these out of mid air. You know your stuff. Thank you.

[rafaelalves]

The best Jazz Guitar channel on the face of the Galaxy!

[jimmrvos]

Thanks Jens for a very important lesson! Starting out in Jazz can be so overwhelming. My big takeaway from this lesson is that you can begin making good sounding jazz using the techniques you outlined. These aren’t the kind of complicated scales and arpeggios that are needed to sound like an accomplished jazz guitar player, but they are great ways to get started without feeling like you’ll never get there.

Thanks again!

[bolt]

Been playing for decades. Never had any interest in jazz. Until now. Thank you.

[peterlustig]

I love this video! There are lots of pieces where I can use most of these chords and it makes my playing at once sound more interesting. Thank You Jens and greetings from Germany!

[walterpollak]

I play since many years guitar. With your video I started to play jazz too. Thank you for your great work you did.