Want to create rich, beautiful jazz piano chords like those in the classic ballad Blue in Green? This guide will help you achieve that lush, full sound by exploring extended chords, voicings, and advanced jazz techniques.
Understanding Lush Jazz Chords
To get that signature sound, focus on extended chords like major 7ths, minor 7ths, and 9ths. These add color and depth to your playing. Pay attention to how the notes are spaced in each chord—smooth, well-balanced voicings create a warm and expressive tone.
Techniques for a Fuller Sound
- Chord Inversions: Play chords in different shapes to achieve variety.
- Pedal Tones: Sustain certain notes to add richness.
- Embellishments: Grace notes, trills, and passing tones can enhance the texture.
- Relaxed Touch: Let the notes ring and blend naturally.
Listen and Learn
A great way to develop your jazz voicings is by listening to recordings of Blue in Green by Miles Davis and other jazz pianists. Pay attention to:
- The chord voicings they use
- How they shape dynamics
- The mood they create
Who Wrote “Blue in Green”?
This haunting jazz ballad first appeared on Miles Davis’ 1959 album Kind of Blue. Many believe jazz pianist Bill Evans composed it, but Miles Davis officially receives credit.
Breaking Down the Chords
Now, let’s dive into playing Blue in Green as a solo piano arrangement. We’ll explore the first few measures and use techniques inspired by Bill Evans.
We will start by looking at the first four measures of “Blue in Green.”
What do you notice in measure 1?
The ‘E’ in the melody represents the #11 on the Bb major 7th chord, an upper extension that is sometimes used on major 7th chords in jazz and produces a sound that has some inherent conflict and tension. Here’s a great way to harmonize major 7th chords with #11 – think of a major triad built a whole-step above the root of the chord.
Let’s break this down more in depth. We’ll harmonize this Bb major 7th chord by simply playing a chord shell in the left hand (root, 3rd, 7th). In the right hand, we’ll harmonize the ‘E’ by thinking of it as part of a C major triad – i.e., a major triad built a whole-step above Bb.
Notice how much beautiful, lush harmony we now have in this chord voicing.
The ‘E’ = #11; ‘C’ = 9th; ‘G’ = 13th.
Measure 2: The A7 Chord
Let’s look now at measure 2 in which we see an ‘A7’ chord with a ‘C’ natural in the melody. Hmm? What is the ‘C’ natural in relation to A7? The answer is that this note represents the #9.
In jazz, dominant 7th chords frequently include lots of upper extensions (things like 9ths, 11ths, an 13ths). These chords can also include altered extensions (things like #9, #11, and b13), such as the #9 we see here. So how will we harmonize this chord and create a lush, dense voicing?
Again, we start simply with a left hand chord shell – A, E, and G, the root, 5th, and 7th. In the right hand we will harmonize the chord by playing an F major triad.
Why F major? Using the 3 notes which make up an F major triad we get some great altered extensions over the A7 harmony (F = b13; A = root; C = #9). Of course, we still need the 3rd of the chord (C#) so we include this tone by playing it with our right hand.
Measure 3: The D Minor 7 Chord
To capture Bill Evans’ signature sound, try voicing minor 7th chords in 4ths:
- Left Hand: Root, 5th, and 7th
- Right Hand: A stack of 4ths (D, G, C, F) with melody note A
This voicing is similar to what Evans used in So What, another track from Kind of Blue.
Now, let’s take a look at the D minor 7 chord.
Notice the intervals of a 4th from ‘D’ to ‘G’ to ‘C’ to ‘F.’ Of course, the melody (the ‘A’) is only a 3rd above ‘F’.
This particular voicing is identical to the D minor 7 voicing Bill Evans used on “So What,” another tune from Miles Davis’ “Kind of Blue.”
Take Your Jazz Playing Further
Want to master Blue in Green? Check out our full lesson, where you’ll learn chord substitutions and advanced techniques to enrich your playing.
Becoming a great jazz pianist isn’t just about memorizing scales and chords. It’s also about shaping notes with dynamics, articulation, and expression.
Learn More with JazzEdge Academy
At JazzEdge Academy, we provide:
- Step-by-step jazz lessons for all skill levels
- Video tutorials, sheet music, and play-along tracks
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Learn at your own pace and bring jazz into your life today!
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