CHORDS OFTEN USED IN JAZZ MUSIC

In this chapter, we shall examine chords that are not commonly used when we analyze chords in compositions from the common practice period. Thus, readers can freely skip this chapter. However, these chords are often used in Jazz music.

A suspended chord is constructed by replacing the third over the chord root, in the root close position, with the perfect fourth or major second. A suspended chord can be constructed from different chord qualities: the major triad, major seventh, dominant seventh or dominant ninth.

The next figure shows the C suspended fourth chord (Csus4). It is constructed from the C major triad chord in the root close position in which the third over the chord root is replaced with the perfect fourth.

Figure: The C suspended fourth chord in the root close position and its symbol

The next figure shows the C suspended second chord (Csus2). It is constructed from the C major triad chord in the root close position in which the third over the chord root is replaced with the major second.

Figure: The C suspended second chord in the root close position and its symbol

The next figure shows the C dominant seventh suspended fourth chord (C7sus4). It is constructed from the C dominant seventh chord in the root close position in which the third over the chord root is replaced with the perfect fourth. 

Figure: The C dominant seventh suspended fourth chord in the root close position and its symbol

The next figure shows the C major seventh suspended fourth chord (C∆7sus4). It is constructed from the C major seventh chord in the root close position in which the third over the chord root is replaced with the perfect fourth.

Figure: The C major seventh suspended fourth chord in the root close position and its symbol

The next figure shows the C dominant ninth suspended fourth chord (C9sus4). It is constructed from the C dominant ninth chord in the root close position in which the third over the chord root is replaced with the perfect fourth. 

Figure: The C dominant ninth suspended fourth chord in the root close position and its symbol

A sixth chord can be constructed from a major or minor triad chord in the root close position by adding the major sixth over the chord root. 

The next figure shows the C major sixth chord (C6). It is constructed from the major triad chord in the root close position by adding the major sixth over the chord root. 

Figure: The C major sixth chord in the root close position and its symbol

The next figure shows the C minor sixth chord (Cm6). It is constructed from the minor triad chord in the root close position by adding the major sixth over the chord root.

Figure: The C minor sixth chord in the root close position and its symbol

A fifth chord (power chord) can be constructed from a major or minor triad chord in the root close position by omitting the third. The next figure shows the C fifth chord. It can be constructed from the C major (or minor) chord in the root close position by omitting the third.

Figure: The C fifth chord in the root close position and its symbol