Extended Chords in D
The next step is to create extended chords by adding 3rd intervals above the scale tone sevenths. The following example is a comping part in the key of D using extended chords.
A great way to learn any key better is to transpose pieces you already know to that key. The next example is the Jazz solo from example 284 transposed to the key of D. You originally learned this piece in the key of F. Transposing something like this takes quite a bit of knowledge, so remember that learning all the keys is a long term project. Spend a short time on it each day and gradually your confidence in each key will grow more secure.
Whenever you jam with other musicians, it’s likely that the Blues will be involved at some point. Being able to play the Blues in all keys is a basic requirement for a Jazz musician. To learn to play Blues in a new key, start by learning chords I, IV and V of the key as dominant 7ths (D7, G7 and A7 in the key of D) and using them to play through the 12 Bar Blues form. Then learn the Blues scale in that key and improvise with it over a simple left hand pattern. Go through the earlier lessons on Blues playing and transpose all the examples to the key of D, and eventually to all the other keys as well. The following Blues uses a new left hand pattern which is a variation on one you already know.
This famous piece in the key of D was written by French composer Erik Satie. There is great room for experimenting with expression and dynamics in this piece. It contains the instruction Lent et douloureaux which means slowly and sadly. If you analyse the chords, you will find that like the Bach Prelude, it contains many of the extended chords used in Jazz.
