Jazz harmony

Definition

Jazz harmony refers to the unique system of chords and chord progressions used in jazz music, characterized by its use of extended and altered chords, including seventh, ninth, eleventh, and thirteenth chords. This form of harmony often incorporates complex structures and movements that create rich textures and emotional depth, distinguishing jazz from other musical genres. Understanding jazz harmony is crucial for analyzing chord symbols and exploring various chord types and their inversions.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Jazz harmony often uses seventh chords as a foundational element, which can be further extended into ninths, elevenths, and thirteenths for added richness.
2. In jazz, musicians frequently employ chord substitutions to enhance harmonic interest and provide new variations on traditional progressions.
3. Tensions created by altered chords are common in jazz harmony, allowing musicians to create dynamic and unexpected resolutions.
4. The use of modal interchange is prevalent in jazz harmony, where chords from parallel modes are borrowed to enrich the harmonic palette.
5. Jazz harmony encourages improvisation; musicians often navigate through complex chord changes in real-time, showcasing their understanding of these harmonic structures.

Review Questions

• How does understanding chord symbol notation enhance a musician's ability to interpret jazz harmony?
  • Understanding chord symbol notation is essential for interpreting jazz harmony because it provides musicians with a concise way to read and perform complex chords. These symbols convey not only the root of the chord but also additional information like extensions and alterations. This knowledge enables musicians to identify what type of harmony they are working with, making it easier to improvise or compose within the jazz idiom.
• Discuss the significance of seventh chord types and their inversions in the context of jazz harmony.
  • Seventh chord types play a crucial role in jazz harmony as they serve as foundational elements for more complex chords. Inversions of these chords further enrich the harmonic texture by altering the bass note and creating smoother voice leading between chords. This flexibility allows for varied emotional expressions and dynamic transitions within a piece, making seventh chords and their inversions indispensable tools for jazz musicians.
• Evaluate how the concepts of altered chords and modal interchange contribute to the complexity of jazz harmony.
  • The use of altered chords introduces tension and color into jazz harmony by altering specific notes within a chord, which creates unique harmonic flavors. Modal interchange allows musicians to borrow chords from parallel modes, further expanding harmonic possibilities and enriching the overall sound. Together, these concepts contribute significantly to the complexity of jazz harmony, enabling musicians to craft intricate compositions and improvisations that resonate with depth and emotionality.

Related terms

Chord Progression: A sequence of chords played in succession that forms the harmonic backbone of a piece of music, guiding the melodic flow.

Altered Chords: Chords that have had one or more of their notes raised or lowered, creating tension and color within the harmony, often used in jazz to add complexity.

Functional Harmony: A system of chords organized around a hierarchy of tonal functions, typically found in classical music, which contrasts with the more fluid approach in jazz.