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Learning to play jazz and complex chords can be challenging for beginners. One such chord is the augmented major seventh chord, which adds a unique, colorful sound to your music. In this article, we will explore easy-to-learn voicings that will help you incorporate these chords into your playing with confidence.
Understanding the Augmented Major Seventh Chord
The augmented major seventh chord is built by combining a root, a major third, an augmented fifth, and a major seventh. Its distinctive sound is often described as dreamy or tense, making it popular in jazz, fusion, and modern music styles. The formula for this chord is: 1, 3, #5, 7.
Basic Voicings for Beginners
- Root position: Play the chord with the root note on the bottom, then stack the major third, augmented fifth, and major seventh above.
- First inversion: Start with the major third as the lowest note, then add the augmented fifth, major seventh, and root above.
- Second inversion: Use the augmented fifth as the bass note, with the major seventh, root, and major third above.
Example: CaugMaj7 Voicing
For the C augmented major seventh (CaugMaj7), the notes are: C, E, G#, B.
On the guitar or piano, you can play these notes in various positions. Here’s a simple voicing:
On Piano: Play C (root), E (major third), G# (augmented fifth), B (major seventh) all in the same hand position.
On Guitar: Play the notes on different strings, for example, 3rd fret of the 5th string (C), 2nd fret of the 4th string (E), 1st fret of the 3rd string (G#), and 2nd fret of the 2nd string (B).
Easy Patterns for Practice
- Pattern 1: Root on the 6th string, move up a whole step for the third, then a half step for the #5, and another whole step for the 7th.
- Pattern 2: Play a triad (C, E, G#) and add B on top as a melody note.
- Pattern 3: Use barre chords to shift the voicing up and down the neck for different keys.
Practice Tip
Start slow and focus on clean, clear notes. Use a metronome to keep steady timing. Experiment with different positions to find what feels most comfortable for you.
Applying Augmented Major Seventh Chords
These chords add a unique flavor to your progressions. Try incorporating them into common jazz progressions, such as ii-V-I, or use them as passing chords to create tension and release.
Sample Progression
In the key of C, try this progression:
- CaugMaj7
- Fmaj7
- G7
- C
Experiment with voice leading and different voicings to make your playing more interesting.
Conclusion
Mastering augmented major seventh chord voicings opens up new harmonic possibilities. With simple patterns and consistent practice, you can add these colorful chords to your musical vocabulary and enhance your improvisation and composition skills.