Why Guide Tones Are the Foundation of Jazz Improvisation

Many musicians try to improvise using scales first, but there is another way. Guide tones help train the ear to hear the horizontal movement of the harmony, and are like the “guard rails” of the tune.

What are Guide Tones?

Guide tones are simply the 3rds and 7ths of each chord. These two notes define the:

1. Chord quality

2. Harmonic direction

3. Resolution

Vertical vs. Horizontal Hearing

Classical musicians are trained to see harmony vertically - meaning stacked notes on a page. Jazz requires the ability to listen horizontally, and to discern how one chord pulls toward the next.

Guide tones create that connection. The 3rds and 7ths of the chord define its chordal quality and are often connecting notes between chords.

Why Guide Tones Build Confidence

When you hear the guide tones, you can:

1. Follow the chord changes

2. Keep tabs on the form

3. Improvise with intention

Please watch the video below for a great tutorial on how to use guide tones in a daily warmup routine to help develop your ear and your improvisation.

Learn Jazz with the Jazz Improv Institute

👉 Inside the Jazz Improv Institute community, we provide daily 15 minute warmup routines for busy musicians wanting to work on their jazz improvisation skills.