Jazz Chord Types Explained (Every Jazz Chord You Need to Know)

Julian Bradley

Jazz Tutorial

Jazz chord types are the different categories of chords used in jazz harmony. The most common are Major 7, Minor 7, Dominant 7, and Half-Diminished chords, which form the foundation of most jazz standards and jazz chord progressions.

Beyond these four core chord types, jazz musicians also use Diminished 7, Minor Major 7, Major 6, Minor 6, altered dominant chords, and slash chords.

Learning these chord symbols will allow you to read lead sheets, understand jazz harmony, and play the vast majority of jazz songs.

Watch this 3-minute lesson:

🎹 Download → Complete Jazz Chords Guide (PDF)

The Main Types of Jazz Chords

The most common jazz chord types are:

• Major 7 (Maj7)
• Minor 7 (Min7)
• Dominant 7 (7)
• Half-Diminished (m7♭5)
• Diminished 7 (dim7)
• Minor Major 7 (mMaj7)
• Major 6 (6)
• Minor 6 (m6)
• Altered Dominant Chords
• Slash Chords

These are the chord symbols you'll encounter most often when reading jazz lead sheets.

Let's take a look at each chord, one by one:

Major 7 Chords

A Major 7 chord is built using:

• Major 3rd
• Minor 3rd
• Major 3rd

For example, C Major 7 contains:

C – E – G – B

Minor 7 Chords

A Minor 7 chord is built using:

• Minor 3rd
• Major 3rd
• Minor 3rd

For example, C Minor 7 contains:

C – E♭ – G – B♭

Dominant 7 Chords

A Dominant 7 chord is built using:

• Major 3rd
• Minor 3rd
• Minor 3rd

For example, C7 contains:

C – E – G – B♭

In jazz notation, Dominant 7 chords are written simply as 'C7'.

Half-Diminished Chords

The Half-Diminished chord is also known as a Minor 7 Flat 5 chord (m7♭5).

For example, C Half-Diminished contains:

C – E♭ – G♭ – B♭

Its interval structure is:

• Minor 3rd
• Minor 3rd
• Major 3rd

You will commonly see this chord in minor ii–V–I progressions.

Diminished 7 Chords

A Diminished 7 chord is built entirely from stacked minor thirds.

For example, C Diminished 7 contains:

C – E♭ – G♭ – A

Its interval structure is:

• Minor 3rd
• Minor 3rd
• Minor 3rd

The Diminished 7 chord is similar to a Half-Diminished chord, except the seventh is lowered by another half step.

Minor Major 7 Chords

A Minor Major 7 chord combines:

• A Minor Triad
• A Major 7th

For example, C Minor Major 7 contains:

C – E♭ – G – B

This chord is commonly written:

Cm(maj7)

or

Cm△7

Major 6 and Minor 6 Chords

A Major 6 chord is a Major Triad with an added 6th.

For example, C6 contains:

C – E – G – A

A Minor 6 chord is a Minor Triad with an added 6th.

For example, Cm6 contains:

C – E♭ – G – A

Minor 6 chords are often used at the end of minor-key jazz tunes.

Altered Dominant Chords

Jazz musicians often modify Dominant 7 chords by altering certain notes.

Some common examples include:

• C7♯5
• C13
• C7alt

A C7♯5 chord raises the fifth of the chord.

A C13 chord adds the 13th (and often the 9th).

A C7alt chord typically contains altered extensions such as a ♯9 or ♭13 and is commonly used to create tension before resolution.

Slash Chords

A slash chord combines one chord with a different bass note.

For example:

F/G

means:

• Play an F Major chord in the right hand
• Play G in the bass

Another example is:

B♭Maj7/C

which means:

• Play B♭Maj7 in the right hand
• Play C in the bass

Slash chords are extremely common in jazz, pop, and contemporary harmony.

Next Step

The most important jazz chord progression is the ii–V–I progression.

Once you understand the different types of jazz chords, the next step is learning how they function together inside real jazz songs.

→ Ultimate Guide to Jazz Piano

For the most complete roadmap covering chords, progressions, voicings, scales, improvisation, and how jazz piano fits together.

Free Jazz Chords Guide

Want a printable reference of the most important jazz chords?

This one-page sheet covers jazz chord symbols beyond the basic four chord types, including 9th chords, 11th chords, 13th chords, sus4 chords, and altered chords.

FREE JAZZ CHORDS GUIDE →