4 Different Ways To Play Minor Jazz Piano Chords
February 27, 2026
In today’s free jazz piano lesson we’re going to take a look at 4 different ways of playing minor chords.
Once you learn these sweet chords you’ll have the ability to play a lot more interesting sounds every time you see minor chords written in a chord chart.
Start by watching the video lesson first. Then scroll down for the notation and extra tips below.
Where Can You Use These Minor Chords?
Most jazz tunes have at least one minor chord in there so you can literally use these jazz piano voicings in hundreds of tunes. Pretty cool right?
More Piano Chords For You To Learn From
If you’re looking for more information on jazz piano chords FreeJazzLessons.com is a great chord lessons resource. You’ve come to the right place! 🙂
For starters you can check out this short little sample lessons Bill Evans Chord lesson
Then, once you’re ready I have a whole course that teaches you step by step how to play and use pro jazz piano voicings inside real tunes.
You can check out the course here. It’s called The Premium Jazz Lessons Membership Course.
Music Theory Explanations
Here are some tips to help you understand more of the music theory behind these chords.
Learn to play these piano chords in all your keys. Taking a look at the chord theory explanations below should help.
- The minor (add9) chord is built with a root, a 9th, a minor 3rd, and a 5th.
- The minor (maj. 7th) chord is built with a major 7th, a 9th, a minor 3rd, and a 5th.
- The minor 7th chord is built with a minor 7th, a 9th, a minor 3rd, and a 5th.
- The minor 6/9 chord is built with a 6th, a 9th, a minor 3rd, and a 5th.
Where Can You Use These Jazz Piano Chord Voicings?
There are so many great jazz songs you can use these chords with. You can even use these chords in jazz blues and even insert them into many different types of jazz chord progressions.
If you want to learn a few bars of some tunes check out these Here’s That Rainy Day chords, Satin Doll chords lesson, and this Misty chords lesson.
Final Tip
I hope you’ve enjoyed the sounds of these minor chords! My challenge to you is to make sure you throw them into some of your favorite songs.
The ultimate goal is to be able to throw them into real pieces of music.
Where do you plan on using these chords? Is there a popular jazz standard you love to play that could use a refresh? Please leave a comment below and let us know!
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Sweet Lesson! Thanks! I’ll share it!
Thanks Dustin! Glad you enjoyed the lesson and thanks for the share 🙂
I thank you my father in jazz Steve Nixon now am under standing the jazz on piano
I always wanted to learn something about minor chord. Thanks from Poland!
Nice Jan! Welcome to the community here and I’m so happy that you’ve improved your knowledge of minor chords.
How’s the weather in Poland right now? 🙂 🙂
really useful stuff.played guitar all my life,always fancied the piano,only been playing 2 1/2yrs,and find your lessons have made a real difference.many thanx for your efforts
Thanks Bill. Awesome of you to say!
I already typed some of my comments/questions on another page of yours just a moment ago.
But then I had an epiphany! (I often have these absolutely brilliant, ideas! :- ))))
Is there a Grammy award for the best educational music video/web site ? If not, then they should definitely introduce it ASAP – times they are changing, you guys! You gotta keep up with the technology!!!
Ergo, my next step would be to recommend you for the award!
Dan, I like that idea! I don’t think there’s a Grammy for this type of stuff but maybe one day 🙂
None the less, I really appreciate your kind words and glad that you’re enjoying the material. Happy to have you as a member of our community. Welcome Dan!
I am so glad with your lessons and i am realy learning diferent things.
hope you can teach me many more chords and sequences.MANY THANKS
Please first accept my gratitude for your great work, it helps a lot. But why do you insist on this rule: the voicing of Gminor with the natural six is only for a I-fonction ? In an other video (how to comp the blues in Bb) you learn that the same chord structure (F# minor natural sixth omitting root adding the ninth) is equivalent to F7alt, so a V fonction ? Perhaps you could make a post on this fact: v-6 = V7 a half step below, and how to use it. Thanks again.
Where and when exactly can I apply those chords without spoiling the music am playing
You can apply these voicings to any songs that has a minor chord.
Hello Nick ! are Italian and do not know English well so I’m sorry (I’m using google translate ) I wanted to compliment you on how to teach ! you are very clear and specific ! I love jazz , smooth jazz , and these agreements are perfect for what I play , really have a professional sound … thanks for your lessons..bye
Luca
Thank you Luca!
Absolutely! They’re jazz voicings but you can easily use jazz voicings in gospel songs, R&B songs, rock songs, etc.
OK thanks alot. Do these chords have scales that go with them apart from minor pentatonic and the blue scale.
You’re most welcome. Yes, several different scales. Look around the site for some course and blog posts on scales. Thanks!
m7-9 chord, one of my fav. Random this chord in several keys with a fender rhodes sound and you’ve got the Jamiroquaï style!
Right on Philippe! Great band.
You’re most welcome!!
Steve,
I just joined. In the minor chords, when can you add the 11th?….sometimes sounds good, a bit disonent and other times not.
Pete
Hi Peter,
This entirely depends on what the melody note is. Some melody notes work better with the 11th. The 11th will work in most situations though over a minor chord.
Thank you.
Hey Steve, new to the website… great stuff. I am a 53 year old aspiring jazz piano player. All i have to do is develop the skills and i am right there. Took classical lessons as a teenager for a couple of years. Lapsed since then. Anxious to learn. Glad i came across your site.
Awesome William! Welcome to our community and very glad to have you. Tons of blog posts and courses to help your grow. If you need recommendations for courses that fit your needs send an email into our contact area. My team will take care of you. Thanks again and look forward to helping you musically grow!
Thank you for these tutorials man. I started playing the piano only a year ago, not even taking any music lessons and i cant even read music properly (been playing drums for 9 years though). Your tutorials really helped me to learn chords and then use them to improvise, which helped me to actually learn theory a bit :)! Keep making these man!
That’s awesome to hear. Keep up the great work and keep us posted on your progress!
I really appreciate and enjoy your tips, Steve. I already have Jazz Masters and it hasn’t disappointed! All the best, Nick Mahon
Hey Nick!
It’s my pleasure and glad to hear you’re enjoying the Jazz Masters Method DVD! That’s awesome to hear.
Thanks .Steve I love and enjoy what you’re doing for us. Love you guy.
George the feeling is mutual! You’re a great supporter and so happy to have you in our community. Glad to hear you enjoyed this lesson too 🙂