Topmusicanswers
- What do jazz chord symbols mean?
- What does the triangle symbol mean in jazz chords?
- What are different symbols used in jazz?
- What are the symbols for chords?
What do jazz chord symbols mean?
Printed jazz music often uses chord symbols to indicate the music's underlying harmony. ... In jazz, the symbols are generally non-specific with respect to inversion, and players of chord-capable instruments (such as piano or guitar) in jazz are accustomed to making independent choices about inversion and voicing.
What does the triangle symbol mean in jazz chords?
It's a major 7th chord! C△7 would be C, E, G, and B♮.
What are different symbols used in jazz?
Common chord types with alternative symbols
| C major 7 | Cmaj7 | Cma7 |
|---|---|---|
| C minor major 7 | Cm maj7 | Cmin ma7 |
| C half diminished | Cø7 | Cm7 b5 |
| C diminished (7) | Co (7) | C dim (7) |
| C7 | C7 | – |
What are the symbols for chords?
Every chord symbol found on lead sheets
| Symbol Description | Chord Quality | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Chord with just a “7” | Dominant 7th | “C7” |
| Chord with capitalized “M” | Major 7th | “CM”, “CM7” |
| Chord with lowercase “m” | Minor 7th | “Cm”, “Cm7” |
| Chord with a dash | Minor 7th | “C-“, “C-7” |
