Jazz and Contemporary
Chord symbol
- Looks like
- Written Cmaj7
- Asks for
- Shows a harmony for accompaniment or improvisation.
Major seventh chord
- Looks like
- Written Cmaj7
- Asks for
- Indicates a major triad with a major seventh above the root.
Minor seventh chord
- Looks like
- Written Cm7
- Asks for
- Indicates a minor triad with a minor seventh above the root.
Dominant seventh chord
- Looks like
- Written C7
- Asks for
- Indicates a major triad with a minor seventh above the root.
Half-diminished chord
- Looks like
- Cø7 (a circle with a slash)
- Asks for
- Indicates a diminished triad with a minor seventh above the root.
Diminished seventh chord
- Looks like
- C°7 (a small circle)
- Asks for
- Indicates a diminished triad with a diminished seventh above the root.
Augmented chord
- Looks like
- Written C+
- Asks for
- Indicates a major triad with a raised fifth.
Suspended fourth chord
- Looks like
- Written Csus4
- Asks for
- Replaces the third with the fourth in the specified harmony.
Added ninth chord
- Looks like
- Written Cadd9
- Asks for
- Adds a ninth without implying a seventh.
Altered dominant chord
- Looks like
- Written C7alt
- Asks for
- Calls for altered dominant extensions; the exact voicing is context-dependent.
Slash chord
- Looks like
- Written C/E
- Asks for
- Places the specified bass note under the named chord.
No-chord symbol
- Looks like
- Written N.C.
- Asks for
- Directs the performer not to supply chordal accompaniment.
Repeat previous bar
- Looks like
- A diagonal slash with a dot either side
- Asks for
- Directs repetition of the previous measure's material.
Repeat previous two bars
- Looks like
- A double slash with dots, set across a barline
- Asks for
- Directs repetition of the preceding two-measure pattern.
Simile
- Looks like
- Written sim.
- Asks for
- Directs continuation in the established manner or pattern.
Swing indication
- Looks like
- Written swing
- Asks for
- Requests a stylistic swing feel; exact subdivision ratio is flexible.
Straight eighths
- Looks like
- Written straight 8ths
- Asks for
- Requests evenly divided eighth-note subdivisions.
Backbeat
- Looks like
- Beats 2 and 4
- Asks for
- Indicates a characteristic emphasis on the second and fourth beats in 4/4.
Fill
- Looks like
- Written fill
- Asks for
- Requests a brief connecting or embellishing passage.
Vamp
- Looks like
- Written vamp
- Asks for
- Requests repetition of a short harmonic or rhythmic figure until cued.
Open solo
- Looks like
- Written open solo
- Asks for
- Indicates an improvisation section without a fixed number of choruses.
Head
- Looks like
- Written head
- Asks for
- Indicates the composed principal melody in a jazz arrangement.
Comp
- Looks like
- Written comp
- Asks for
- Directs a player to provide rhythmic-harmonic accompaniment.
Break
- Looks like
- Written break
- Asks for
- Marks a brief interruption or exposed solo passage in an ensemble texture.
Tacet
- Looks like
- The word tacet
- Asks for
- Directs an instrument or singer to remain silent for the specified span.
Cue on conductor
- Looks like
- Written on cue
- Asks for
- Indicates an entrance or action controlled by the conductor.
Other chapters: Staff and Clefs · Pitch and Accidentals · Note Values and Rests · Meter and Grouping · Articulation · Dynamics and Expression · Tempo and Navigation · Ornaments · Keyboard, Guitar and Ensemble
Engraving styles differ between publishers and periods, and some signs change meaning with style or instrument.
Open the Music Symbols Atlas →