7 Jazz guitar chords for beginners

Learning jazz guitar may seem like a daunting task, and while it’s true that jazz can be very complex, it doesn’t have to be. You can create a jazzy tone and quality simply by adding one note to the basic chords you already know. 

In this article, you’ll learn seven easy jazz chords for beginners. After reading through, you’ll hopefully have a deeper understanding of where the sound of jazz comes from. 

The main topics we’ll discuss today: 

• What’s a jazz chord
• The major 7 jazz chord
• How to use these chords in context
• Practice active listening to learn about jazz
• The next steps of your jazz guitar journey

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We’ve got some new shapes to show you, but before we get into the good stuff, let’s briefly talk about what jazz chords actually are.

What’s a jazz chord?

The term “jazz chord” isn’t a very accurate term – so-called jazz chords aren’t just for jazz! In fact, most chords can be used across all genres. The idea is that “jazz chord” describes a particular sound of extended chords that we so often hear in the genre.  

You know it when you hear it. The extra note adds an important flavor to the quality of the sound. 

In popular music, the major and minor triads are the most commonly used chords. The triad, as the name suggests, consists of three notes: a root note, a third, and a fifth. The “jazzy” sound comes when you add an additional note to the triad.

If you add the 7th to the triad, you get either a major 7th, minor 7th, or a dominant 7th chord. This article will only focus on the major 7th.

The major 7 jazz chord

A major 7

Most of these shapes are very similar to their related open chords.

• Usually, a slight alteration is all you need to go from a major chord to a major 7th chord.
• To change Amaj to Amaj7, just move the note on the G string down from A to G#.

You’ll need to change the finger order for this shape.

• Try middle finger on the D string, index on the G string, and ring finger on the B string.
• G# is the 7th note in this chord, and it's what gives it its jazzy quality.

B major 7

The Bmaj7 chord requires a little more finger dexterity compared to the Amaj7 chord above. 

• If you’re very new to guitar you can exclude the 2nd fret on the e string. 
• Be sure to avoid hitting an open E string when you play this shape (it’s not part of the chord).  

Don’t worry! This still counts as a Bmaj7 – you’re only removing the perfect 5th. 

• You don’t always need to play every single note of a chord. 
• Shell chords only contain the root, third, and 7th of a chord.

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C major 7

The Cmaj7 in its open position sounds full and well-rounded. Plus, it’s easy to play. 

• The shape is very close to a regular C major chord.
• Just lift your index finger off the B string – that’s it!

Here’s a little tip when strumming this chord – try a hammer on with your index finger to switch between the Cmaj7 and the Cmaj, it will add a nice sense of movement.

• Avoid hitting the low E string. 
• Although E is part of this chord, adding it below the root note is going to muddy the sound.

D major 7

TThe Dmaj7 is one of the most welcoming maj7 shapes, even for complete beginners. 

• It can be played with a single finger. 
• Comfortable chord to bar and move around the neck. 
• Has a brighter sound than most other chords in this list due to not using those lower strings. 

Having a variety of tonal choices is useful – so remember this shape when you want a maj7 chord with a bit more bite!

E major 7

Emaj7 is another simple chord to learn if you already know your basic open chords. 

• Very similar to E major, but you move one note on the D string down from E to D#. 
• You need to rearrange your fingers to switch from EMaj to Emaj7
• Place your ring finger on the A string, index on the D string, and middle on the G string.

Since we’re using all the strings and have the root note on both ends, we get a big, full-sounding chord.