Major seventh arpeggios

C6 and C Major 7 Chords

So, the C6 chord that we played in "Sing and Play Number One" is a four-note chord. We haven't played that until now; it's all been triads. In fact, Jazz uses mostly four-note chords, which can be categorized into two types:

• Sixths
• Sevenths

Understanding C6 and C Major 7

You have already played the C6 chord. The other one is C major 7. Both of these chords use notes from the C major scale, either the sixth or the seventh.

Important Note: Don't confuse C major 7 with C7. C7 includes a black note of B flat on top, which is referred to as the flattened seventh.

For now, we won't be playing C7; we will focus on C major 7 and C6. In the next piece, these two chords will be alternated as they are essentially interchangeable in the right hand.

Practice Recommendations

It would be beneficial to start practicing major seventh arpeggios. Here's a simple example:

• Play an octave higher.

Note: This exercise uses all fingers, particularly the fourth and fifth fingers at the top. It's excellent technical practice to strengthen these often weak fingers.

Suggested Exercise

1. Play 4th and 5th fingers: Practice using the fourth and fifth fingers, which are often weak.
2. Try it over two octaves: This requires careful passing underneath the thumb.
3. Maintain a flexible wrist:
   • Avoid twisting the hand.
   • Keep the elbow raised as little as possible.
   • Aim for a legato sound.

Tip: Play this slowly first with the metronome and try playing it both straight and swung.

Advanced Fingering

The fingering you use will be appropriate for any major seventh arpeggio that starts on a white note, like C major 7 or D major 7.

In the next piece, however, you will need to play in E flat and A flat, so the fingering for those will differ. You can check it out on the PDF for the one-octave version.

New Fingering for E Flat and A Flat

1. Start with the second finger.
2. Place the thumb on G.

Preparation for Major Syncopation

In preparation for the major syncopation in the next piece, practice those arpeggios and the chords in three keys:

• C
• E flat
• A flat

All three should be major sevenths.