Understanding Dominant Chords: Part 1

In just one hour, discover the secrets of dominant chords: the backbone of jazz, blues, and modern harmony from bassist Cole Davis and guitarist Yuval Amihai. This four-chapter course walks you through what dominants are made of, how they differ from major and minor chords, how to solo confidently using dominant shapes, and how to unlock colorful extensions to transform your playing. Perfect for musicians who want a fast but powerful upgrade to their harmonic vocabulary. Comes with PDF and backing tracks for play-along. 

Chapter 1: The Building Blocks of Dominant Chords

We begin with the foundation: what dominant chords are made of. You’ll learn how the chord is
constructed from the major scale, the essential intervals that give it its unique tension, and why the
tritone inside the chord creates such a strong pull toward resolution. By breaking down the chord tones
(root, 3rd, 5th, flat 7th), you’ll gain clarity on what makes the dominant chord distinct from simple triads,
and why it is central to harmonic movement in Western music.

Chapter 2: Soloing with Dominant Shapes

Once you understand the structure, we’ll move into practical application: soloing. This chapter explores
dominant chord shapes across the instrument, showing you how to navigate the fretboard or keyboard
with clarity and intention. You’ll practice arpeggio-based lines, scale patterns, and voice-leading
strategies that highlight the essential chord tones. We’ll also discuss common dominant patterns in
improvisation, giving you a toolkit for solos that sound grounded and expressive without being locked
into rote licks.

Chapter 3: What Sets Dominants Apart

Dominant chords don’t just sound different, they function differently. In this chapter, you’ll learn the
crucial distinction between dominant chords and their major and minor counterparts. We’ll explore how
dominants act as a harmonic engine, creating forward momentum and tension-resolution cycles that
major and minor chords alone cannot provide. By comparing harmonic roles and listening to musical
examples, you’ll see how dominants elevate progressions from static to dynamic, adding drama and
intensity to even the simplest tunes.

Chapter 4: Extensions and Creative Colors

Finally, we expand beyond the basic chord tones into the rich world of extensions. You’ll learn how
9ths, 11ths, and 13ths can transform a simple dominant into a colorful harmonic landscape. We’ll cover
how to choose extensions based on context (blues vs. jazz vs. pop), the effect of altered tensions (#9,
b9, #11, b13), and how to use these notes to shape the emotional quality of your playing. This chapter
ties together everything you’ve learned, showing you how dominant chords provide not just structure,
but infinite expressive possibilities.

By the end of this course, you will:

- Know the essential formula of dominant chords.

- Be able to solo
confidently using dominant shapes and arpeggios. - Understand what makes dominants different from
major and minor chords.

- Use extensions to add depth, color, and personality to your improvisation.
This one-hour class is designed to be concise yet comprehensive—a perfect foundation for anyone
who wants to deepen their harmonic vocabulary and make their solos come alive.