Add Flavor to Your Playing With These 7 Guitar Chords

Add Flavor to Your Playing With These 7 Guitar Chords The Major 7 Chord (maj7) Sign up successful Here is the chord progression I-IV-I-V-I in a few keys to show you how it works: Key of C: Cmaj7 â€" Fmaj7 â€" Cmaj7 â€" G7 â€" Cmaj7 Key of G: Gmaj7 â€" Cmaj7 â€" Gmaj7 â€" D7 â€" Gmaj7 Key of D: Dmaj7 â€" Gmaj7 â€" Dmaj7 â€" A7 â€" Dmaj7 Key of A: Amaj7 â€" Dmaj7 â€" Amaj7 â€" E7 â€" Amaj7 Notice that the V chord is a dominant 7 chord not a maj7 (i.e. G7 not Gmaj7.) The Add 9 Chord (add9) The add 9 chord, like the major 6 can be used to replace most major chords. Here are some examples of open position add 9 chords. The D chord in this example is actually a D2 chord because it is missing the 3rd of the chord, but it can function in the same way.   Here is the chord progression I-IV-V-I in a few keys to show you how it works. Key of C: C(add9) â€" F(add9) â€" G(add9) â€" C(add9) Key of G: G(add9) â€" C(add9) â€" D7 â€" G(add9) Key of D: D2 â€" G(add9) â€" A(add9) â€" D2 Key of A: A(add9) â€" D2 â€" E(add9) â€" A(add9) The Major 9 Chord (maj9) The major 9 chord is almost identical to the add 9 chord except we have both the 7th and 9th in the chord.   Here are some examples of open position major 9 chords. Here is the chord progression I-IV-V-I in a few keys to show you how it works.   I have mixed major 7 and major 9 chords so you can practice both. Key of C: Cmaj9 â€" Fmaj7 â€" G(add9) â€" Cmaj9 Key of G: Gmaj9 â€" Cmaj7 â€" D2 â€" Gmaj9 Key of D: Dmaj9 â€" Gmaj7 â€" A(add9) â€" Dmaj9 Key of A: Amaj9 â€" Dmaj7 â€" E(add9) â€" Amaj9 The Major 6 Chord (6) The major 6 chord can be used to replace almost any major chord.   Here are the six most common open position major 6 chords. Here is the chord progression I-IV-V-I in a few keys to show you how it works: Key of C: C6 â€" F6 â€" G6 â€" C6 Key of G: G6 â€" C6 â€" D6 â€" G6 Key of D: D6 â€" G6 â€" A6 â€" D6 Key of A: A6 â€" D6 â€" E6 â€" A6 You may want to compare this to the sound of the same progression using the major 9 chords above.   Also, if you replace the V chord with a V7 chord you will find the progression has a stronger pull back to I. The Minor 7 Chord (m7) The minor 7 chord can be used to replace most minor chords.   As an added benefit, the minor 7 built off from the ii chord can also be used to replace the IV chord.   Here are five open position minor 7 chords. Here is the chord progression vi-ii-V-I in a few keys to show you how it works: Key of C: Am7 â€" Dm7 â€" G7 â€" Cmaj7 Key of G: Em7 â€" Am7 â€" D7 â€" Gmaj7 Key of D: Bm7 â€" Em7 â€" A7 â€" Dmaj7 Key of A: F#m7 â€" Bm7 â€" E7 Amaj7 The Minor 9 Chord (m9) The minor 9 chord can be used to replace the ii chord or vi chord in major keys.   Here are some examples of open position minor 9 chords. Note: the Dm(add9) is not a true minor 9 chord because it is missing the 3rd of the chord and is therefore a little less dissonant, but it will function in the same way.   Here is the chord progression vi-ii-V-I in a few keys to show you how it works: Key of C: Am9 â€" Dm(add9) â€" G7 â€" Cmaj9 Key of G: Em9 â€" Am9 â€" D7 â€" Gmaj9 Key of D: Bm9 â€" Em9 â€" A7 â€" Dmaj9 Key of A: F#m7 â€" Bm9 â€" E7 Amaj9 The Dominant 9 Chord (V9) The dominant 9 chord can be used to replace a V chord.   Here are some examples of open position dominant 9 chords. Here is the chord progression vi-ii-V-I in a few keys to show you how it works: Key of C: Am9 â€" Dm(add9) â€" G9 â€" Cmaj9 Key of G: Em9 â€" Am9 â€" D9 â€" Gmaj9 Key of D: Bm9 â€" Em9 â€" A9 â€" Dmaj9 Key of A: F#m7 â€" Bm9 â€" E9 Amaj9 I hope this introduction into some common open position jazz guitar chords has sparked your interest in the beauty and variety available in these chords.   By using your capo you can take these chords and extend them into any key.   Or you may wish to study the moveable versions of each of these chords so you can use them in higher positions on the guitar.   Keep practicing and you will have mastered a whole new universe of chords, sounds and styles. Looking for one-on-one instruction? Whether youre a beginner, intermediate, or advanced guitarist there is always more to learn, and a great teacher can help guide you to the next level in your playing.  Search for a guitar teacher today! Jerry W. teaches classical guitar, composition, trombone and  trumpet  in Grosse Pointe, MI.  He received his Bachelor of Music in Theory and Composition from  Cornerstone University and went on to receive both his Masters and PhD in Music Composition from  Michigan State University.  Jerry has been making music and teaching students for over thirty years.    Learn more about Jerry W. here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher Photo by Tom Marcello