Jazz Harmonies

Question 1

Adding embellishments

Answer 1

Use 6th, 7th, and 9th for major scale

Use 6th, 7th, and 9th of melodic minor scale for minor chords (same notes)

Question 2

Voicings

Answer 2

Give chord its character

Bass voicings: root + 5th, 6th, 7th, 10th, or 3rd

Question 3

3 step process for voicing a chord

Answer 3

Choose bass voicing
Put 3rd in chord
Embellish with 2 notes
Do not double any note

Question 4

Minor 7th chords

Answer 4

Consider as ii chord or Dorian mode

Cannot use root + 6th for bass voicing

Question 5

Dominant 7th chords (embellishments)

Answer 5

• choose from dominant/Mixolydian pitch collection
• 9th, 11th, or 13th
• raised or lowered 5th and 9th
• raised 11th (aka lowered 5th)

Question 6

Dominant 7th chords (bass voicing)

Answer 6

Don’t use root + 6th

Chords resolves to tonic

Question 7

Diminished chords

Answer 7

Embellishment: fully diminished 7th

Bass voicing: root + dim5, dim7, 3rd or 10th

Question 8

Harmonizing melodies

Answer 8

Double melody note in accompanying chord

Harmonic rhythm = 1 or 2 chords per measure

Question 9

Substituting chords

Answer 9

Substitute dominant 7th chords mostly

Question 10

Two methods (to substitute)

Answer 10

Add ii7 chord before V7 chord

Replace the V7 chord with a V7 chord built a tritone away (ex: in C, V7=G7 so built substitute chord on Db)