How to Play Major 7th Chords on Jazz Saxophone

Jazz saxophonists like to create special sounds when they play, and part of the way they do this is by spicing the music with extended chords. Much of jazz harmony, in fact, comes from the major scales. Learn how to play major 7th chords for jazz saxophone.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Saxophone

1. Begin working on major 7th chords by focusing on the C major scale. You'll start with the note known as middle C on the piano.

2. Play a regular chord consisting of the first, third and fifth notes of the scale, in this case C, E and G. Some instructors refer to the first note of the scale as the root, and the chord as a triad.

3. Add the seventh note of the scale, B, to play a major 7th chord on jazz saxophone. The chord would consist of C, E, G and B, the root, third and fifth notes of the scale, with the seventh added.

4. Continue the idea in F scale. You would play F, A and C for a chord, then add the seventh, E, for a major 7th chord. Again, you're playing the first, third, fifth and seventh notes of the scale.

5. Try a major 7th chord in the G scale. This time, you'll play G, B, D and F-sharp. You can see how the pattern repeats for major 7th chords as you play the root, third, fifth and seventh notes in G scale. All add that special sound when you play jazz saxophone.