Professional jazz harmony is rarely played exactly as written on a lead sheet.
: Dominant chords are often "seasoned" with b9, #9, #11, or b13. These create maximum dissonance that makes the eventual resolution feel more satisfying. An Approach to Jazz Harmony
At its heart, jazz harmony evolved from the Western tonal system but added "extensions" to every chord. Professional jazz harmony is rarely played exactly as
: This is the DNA of jazz. The movement from a minor supertonic to a dominant, then resolving to the tonic, creates the tension and release essential to the genre. At its heart, jazz harmony evolved from the
: The 3rd and 7th of any chord define its quality. Focusing on how these two notes move from one chord to the next ensures a smooth harmonic "flow." 2. Expanding the Palette: Extensions and Alterations
💡 : Jazz harmony is a balance of tension (dissonance) and release (consonance) , achieved through the strategic use of extensions and smooth voice leading.
: Playing a simple triad (like D major) over a different bass note (like C) to achieve complex jazz tensions easily.