When you play jazz guitar you have a lot of power to spice up the naturalprogression of the harmony.

For the most part when you add chord subs to a song, you keep with the same points of tension and resolution but you can make them more radical or change the frequency at which the chords occur.

Sub 1 is a very common sub for a 1-6-2-5 progression. The G7 is a quality substitution and works very well because G7 is the “5” chord of C minor.

Sub 2 changes the second chord again – this time to a B diminished 7. This works well because you can always add a diminished chord a half step below a minor chord.

This also works because it’s the upper partial of a G7b9 chord. Basically it’s the same harmony as the G7 without the G! Instead you’re hearing the half step resolution of the “B” to “C”.

Sub 3 uses the G7 once more but raises the 5th for smooth voice leading to a Cm9 chord. From here I’m using a tritone substitution.

The easiest way to remember this sub is to resolve to the “1” chord by a half step above.

I’m altering the 9th for smooth voice leading again.

Sub 4 starts the same as the other but quickly moves to a Dm7 by placing an A7 before it.

The 5th of D minor is A so this works perfectly. We move to Dm7 to produce a sequential 2-5 pattern that descends until the resolution to Bb.

Dm7 – G9 is a 2-5 sequence in C and Cm7 – F9 is a 2-5 sequence in Bb.

Original – Bbmaj7 / Gm7 / | Cm7 / F9 / |

Sub 1 – Bbmaj7 / G7 / | Cm7 / F9 / |

Sub 2 – Bbmaj7 / Bdim7 / | Cm7 / F7b9 / |

Sub 3 – Bbmaj7 / G7# 5 / Cm9 / B7# 9 / |

Sub 4 – Bbmaj7 / A7 / | Dm7 G9 Cm7 F9 |

Original:

  Bbmaj7     Gm7        Cm7      F9
E |-----------10---------------------------|
B |--6--------11---------8--—-----8--------|
G |--7--------10---------8--------8--------|
D |--7--------12---------8--------7--------|
A |-----------10------------------8--------|
E |--6-------------------8-----------------|

Sub 1:

   Bbmaj7     G7      Cm7      F9
E |--------------------------------------|
B |--6--------8--------8---—----8--------|
G |--7-------10--------8--------8--------|
D |--7--------9--------8--------7--------|
A |----------10-----------------8--------|
E |--6-----------------8-----------------|

Sub 2:

   Bbmaj7    Bdim7    Cm7    F7b9
E |---------------------------------------|
B |--6--------6--------8--—----7----------|
G |--7--------7--------8-------8----------|
D |--7--------6--------8-------7----------|
A |----------------------------8----------|
E |--6--------7--------8------------------|

Sub 3:

   Bbmaj7     G7#5       Cm9      B7#9
E |----------------------------------------|
B |--6---------4---------3--—------3-------|
G |--7---------4---------3---------2-------|
D |--7---------3---------1---------1-------|
A |----------------------3---------2-------|
E |--6---------3---------------------------|

Sub 4:

   Bbmaj7      A7       Dm7       G9 Cm7 F9
E |--------------------------------------------------------|
B |--6---------5--------10-—------10--------8--------8-----|
G |--7---------6--------10--------10--------8--------8-----|
D |--7---------5--------10---------9--------8--------7-----|
A |-------------------------------10-----------------8-----|
E |--6---------5--------10------------------8--------------|

Want To Learn More …

jazz-boxWe recommend that only intermediate and advanced guitar players will be able to understand the techniques and concepts used through the course.

Not sure which category you fall under? Well basically, if you can hold chords, play a tune and have a sound knowledge on the basics of guitar & scales then Jazz Guitar Techniques will be suitable.

With our standard step-by-step instructions and video ‘Jazz Guitar Mastery’ is what you need to successful learn to master Jazz guitar.

We give you our qualified tutor plus the need to know topics to help you learn quicker and with minimal stress doing so.