Exploring Brazilian Jazz Harmony for Beginners

Welcome to this lesson where we explore two beautiful Brazilian jazz tunes that introduce fundamental harmonic concepts. This session is perfect for beginners looking to expand their knowledge of suspended chords, harmonic movement, and rhythmic phrasing in a relaxed and musical way.

The Concept of Suspended Chords

One of the key topics in this lesson is the use of suspended chords (sus chords), which are neither major nor minor but create a floating, unresolved sound. The tune "Aí" by João Donato serves as an excellent study piece for this concept.

A C7sus4 chord, for example, can be thought of as either a Bbmaj7 over a C bass or a G-7 over a C bass. This ambiguity gives suspended chords their unique, open-ended quality.

Exploring "Aí" by João Donato

This tune revolves around a simple yet deeply expressive harmonic movement:
C7sus4 to Fmaj7

Rather than resolving the C7sus4 into a dominant 7th, the harmony remains suspended, maintaining a smooth and fluid sound.

We explore various voicings for these chords, demonstrating how they can be used to create rich and dynamic textures on the piano. We also discuss how this harmonic approach became widely popular in the late 1960s and early 1970s, influencing many jazz and fusion musicians.

Playing with Rhythm & Groove

Brazilian music is heavily syncopated, meaning that the rhythm often emphasizes off-beats and unexpected accents. In this lesson, we demonstrate how to establish a steady groove by using the left hand to outline the pulse while the right hand plays chord voicings and melodic variations.

Using a Bossa Nova rhythm or a Samba groove, we experiment with different ways of playing "Aí" while maintaining a relaxed and flowing feel.

The Beauty of Simple Melodies

The melody of "Aí" is straightforward yet elegant. One of the key takeaways from this lesson is how to phrase melodies naturally, avoiding rigid or mechanical playing. We emphasize:

• Flexibility in phrasing
• Subtle timing variations
• Sustaining notes for a more vocal-like quality

This approach allows the melody to "breathe" and blend seamlessly with the harmony.

Practicing in Different Keys

A great exercise is to transpose "Aí" into multiple keys while maintaining smooth voice leading. Because suspended chords are harmonically flexible, they provide an excellent way to explore key changes without abrupt transitions.

"Folhas Secas" – A Classic Samba Ballad

The second tune we explore is "Folhas Secas" (translated as "Dry Leaves"), a Brazilian samba by Nelson Cavaquinho. Unlike "Aí," this song features a rich chordal movement and contrasting harmonic textures.

The Harmony of "Folhas Secas"

This song introduces moving bass lines with static chord voicings, meaning that while the chords remain similar, the bass note shifts underneath, creating a smooth and lyrical progression.

For example, the harmonic movement in the bridge section features a beautiful transition from:

D#7(b5) to G#-7(b5) to C#7(b9) to F#7

These chords add color and emotional depth to the tune, making it an excellent study piece for pianists looking to develop their harmonic awareness.

Syncopation & Rhythmic Feel

Samba and Bossa Nova rhythms rely heavily on syncopation. This means that rests and off-beat accents are just as important as the notes themselves.

One of the key exercises in this lesson is to tap the underlying pulse while playing syncopated rhythms in the right hand. This helps internalize the groove and improves coordination between both hands.

5 Practice Tips for This Lesson:

1. Experiment with Suspended Chords – Play C7sus4 in different voicings and listen to how it resolves into Fmaj7.
2. Practice Melodic Phrasing – Instead of playing the melody in a rigid manner, try to sing it internally while playing.
3. Use Simple Rhythmic Patterns – Establish a steady groove by tapping your foot on beats 1 and 2 (for 2/4 time) before adding syncopations.
4. Transpose the Chord Progressions – Play C7sus4 to Fmaj7 in different keys to develop familiarity with harmonic movement.
5. Play the Bass Separately – In "Folhas Secas," focus on playing the bass movement alone, then add the chord voicings.

By the end of this lesson, you’ll have a deeper understanding of suspended chords, Brazilian rhythmic phrasing, and melodic flexibility. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, these concepts will help you develop a more fluid and expressive jazz piano style.