Jazz Chord Progressions

Chord progressions are a succession of chords played one after another and during a specified duration. On this page, you’ll find the 10 most popular chord progressions in jazz, a list of songs that use similar chord progressions and the jazz guitarists who recorded these songs.

In this lesson you will learn how to recognize these progressions from a Roman numeral standpoint, allowing you to quickly transpose them to other keys, as well as two different ways to comp through each progression on the guitar.

It’s important that you learn to recognize these classic chord progressions and that you practice improvising over them, so grab your axe, turn up your amp and let’s dig into these 10 must-know jazz guitar chord progressions!

Here’s a list of the 10 jazz chord progressions in this lesson:

 

Chord Progression List

  1. Major ii V I – The most common progression in jazz
  2. Rhythm Changes A – From the Gershwin song I’ve Got Rhythm
  3. Descending ii V Is – 2-5-1 progression with descending modulation
  4. Diminished 7 Passing Chords – Diminished chords used to connect diatonic chords
  5. Take The A Train Changes – With the II7, that is also used in Girl From Ipanema
  6. I to IV – 2-5 progression to the IV, often used in a jazz blues
  7. IV to IVm – The IV minor chord is used in countless standards as well as pop songs
  8. Rhythm Changes Bridge – Progression based on the cycle of fifths
  9. Minor ii V I – The minor version of the famous ii V I
  10. Stray Cat Strut – A famous minor-key turnaround

 

Jazz Guitar Chord Progression 1 – ii V I Major

 

Dm7 G7 Cmaj7 %
iim7 V7 Imaj7 %

 

The 2 5 1 progression is without any doubt the most popular chord progression in jazz. I’m not going to give you a list of songs that use this progression since a jazz standard without a ii V I is almost unthinkable. Some jazz standard chord progressions are nothing more than a series of II Vs.

It can be found in countless tunes, in all 12 keys, and with many different permutations, both rhythmically and harmonically. For this reason, it is the best place to start when working on solidifying and expanding your jazz guitar progressions repertoire.

Btw, the % symbol means you have to repeat the chord of the previous bar.

 

Here are two examples of how to play this progression in the key of C:

 

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Jazz guitar chord progression 1

 

 

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Jazz guitar chord progression 1a

 

Jazz Guitar Chord Progressions 2 – Rhythm Changes

 

Cmaj7 Am7 Dm7 G7 Em7 A7 Dm7 G7
Imaj7 vim7 iim7 V7 iiim7 VI7 iim7 V7

 

This chord progression is the first A of a Rhythm Changes.

Rhythm changes are a kind of chord progression that use the same chord changes as ‘I’ve Got Rhythm‘, a song written by Gershwin in 1930.  People started using this progression to jam on and so many different melodies came into being that use the same chord changes.

 

A list of standards that use this progression:

Song Title Played By
Moose the Mooche Pat Metheny
Shaw Nuff Barney Kessel
Cheek to Cheek George Van Eps
Mean to Me Barney Kessel
Isn’t It Romantic Tal Farlow
Long Ago and Far Away Earl Klugh

 

Built around the I-vi-ii-V progression, with a slight variation between the first and second two-bar phrases, this chord progression can be deceptively simple. This is why a lot of guitarists don’t dig deep when exploring this progression.

But, for those that do lift the hood and explore these changes with a bit more detail, you can learn new and creative ways of outlining these often-used chords, taking your Rhythm Changes comping to new levels of creativity.

 

Here are two examples of how to play through these changes to help get you started:

 

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Jazz guitar chord progression 2

 

 

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Jazz guitar chord progression 2a

 

Jazz Guitar Chord Progressions 3 – Descending ii V I

 

Cmaj7 % Cm7 F7
Imaj7 % (iim7 V7)

 

Bbmaj7 % Bbm7 Eb7
Imaj7 % (iim7 V7)

 

Abmaj7 % Abm7 Db7
Imaj7 % (iim7 V7)

 

This is also a very common jazz chord progression. Used in tunes such as “How High the Moon” and “Tune Up,” descending major 2-5-1s are a commonly used harmonic device that can prove to be kind of tricky when first learning to navigate these chords.

There are 2 modulations in this progression:

  • The chords start in the key of C major.
  • They modulate to Bb major in the 3rd bar.
  • They modulate again in the 7th bar, this time to Ab major.

 

Song Title Played By
How High the Moon Joe Pass
Tune Up Wes Montgomery
Cherokee Tal Farlow
Joy Spring Joe Pass
One Note Samba Charlie Byrd
Solar Pat Metheny

 

When faced with descending harmonic patterns such as this, many of us simply repeat the same chords down two frets for each new key. While this can work, more advanced players will find ways to ascend up the neck as the chord progression descends, providing a nice harmonic contrast during these chords.

 

Here are two examples of how you could practice comping through these changes:

 

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Jazz guitar chord progression 3

 

 

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Jazz guitar chord progression 3a

 

Jazz Guitar Chord Progressions 4 – Dim7 Passing Chords

 

Cmaj7 C#°7 Dm7 D#°7 Em7 A7
Imaj7 #I°7 iim7 #II°7 iiim7 VI7

 

Heard in tunes such as “Cherokee,” the use of diminished 7 passing tones to connect the Imaj7 and iim7 chords, as well as the iim7 and iiim7 chords, in any chord progression is a commonly used and important harmonic device that can spice up the playing of any jazz guitarist.

Dim7 chords not only add harmonic tension to this progression, but the chromatic bass line helps to build tension, which is then resolved to the iim7 and iiim7 chords in the following downbeats.

 

Song Title Played By
Cherokee Tal Farlow
Have You Met Miss Jones Kenny Burrell
Joy Spring Joe Pass
But Beautiful Lenny Breau
Ain’t Misbehavin’ Django Reinhardt

 

To get you started, here are two ways that you can work on comping these important chords:

 

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Jazz guitar chord progression 4

 

 

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Jazz guitar chord progression 4a

 

Jazz Guitar Chord Progressions 5 – Take the A Train

 

Cmaj7 % D7 %
Imaj7 % II7 %

 

Dm7 G7 Cmaj7 %
iim7 V7 Imaj7 %

 

These chords, which feature the cool-sounding and fun to play II7 chord, are mostly associated with the classic Ellington track Take the A Train.

The movement from Imaj7 to II7 to iim7 is one that you will see in many different jazz guitar tunes, including the classic Bossa Nova track The Girl From Ipanema, and is therefore worth working on from both a comping and soloing standpoint.

 

Song Title Played By
Take the ‘A’ Train George Benson
The Girl from Ipanema Charlie Byrd
Desafinado Charlie Byrd
Mood Indigo Kenny Burrell

 

Here are two ways that you can work on these chords to help get them under your fingers and into your ears:

 

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Jazz guitar chord progression 5

 

 

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Jazz guitar chord progression 5a

 

Jazz Guitar Chord Progressions 6 – I to IV

 

Cmaj7 Gm7 C7 Fmaj7
Imaj7 (iim7 V7) IVmaj7

 

For anyone that has played the blues, you know that the movement from a I chord to a IV chord is a commonly heard sound in the jazz guitar idiom.

While you may be most familiar with this progression from a jazz-blues standpoint, you can also apply this progression to a major key situation such as the one seen in the examples below.

 

Song Title Played By
Satin Doll Tal Farlow
Cherokee Tal Farlow
Joy Spring Joe Pass
Have You Met Miss Jones Kenny Burrell
There Will Never Be Another You George Benson

 

Working on these two examples, in various keys, will help get this important sound into your ears and under your fingers, allowing you to confidently bring these changes to your jam sessions and gigs in no time:

 

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Jazz guitar chord progression 6

 

 

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Jazz guitar chord progression 6a

 

Jazz Guitar Chord Progressions 7 – IV to iv Minor

 

Cmaj7 C7 Fmaj7 Fm7
Imaj7 I7 IVmaj7 ivm7

 

Em7A7 Dm7G7 Cmaj7 %
iiim7VI7 iim7V7 Imaj7 %

 

Used by countless jazz composers and improvisers, as well as many pop musicians such as the Beatles, the IV (major) to iv (minor) harmonic movement is one that every jazz guitarist needs to have under his fingers from both a comping and soloing standpoint.

The key to learning to play and hear this progression is the movement from the IVmaj7 to the ivm7 chord.

 

Song Title Played By
Moose the Mooche Pat Metheny
Shaw Nuff Barney Kessel
All of Me George Benson
All the Things You Are Pat Metheny
There Will Never Be Another You George Benson

 

Here are a few ways that you could comp through this progression to help get you started:

 

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Jazz guitar chord progression 7

 

 

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Jazz guitar chord progression 7a

 

Jazz Guitar Chord Progressions 8 – Rhythm Changes Bridge

 

D7 G7 C7 F7
III7 VI7 II7 V7

 

As we saw earlier, Rhythm Changes is a tune that is full of classic sounding, and must-know, chord progressions.

Based off of the cycle of 5ths, the bridge to Rhythm Changes features four 7th chords moving up by a 4th with each new chord in the progression. Though there are only four chords, these changes can be tricky to master, and therefore are worth exploring.

To help you get started, here are a couple of ways that you can practice playing the bridge to Rhythm Changes (in Bb major):

 

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Jazz guitar chord progression 8

 

 

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Jazz guitar chord progression 8a

 

Jazz Guitar Chord Progressions 9 – ii V I Minor

 

Dm7b5 G7 Cm7 %
iim7b5 V7 im7 %

 

Just like its major-key cousin, the minor ii V I progression is found in countless tunes from many different composers and improvisers.

Featuring the ever-tricky 7alt chord, this progression can be tougher to master than the major-key version we saw earlier, which is why it’s important to continue to develop your minor ii V I vocabulary even for more experienced players.

 

Here are a couple of examples to help you get started with comping through this important group of 3 chords:

 

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Jazz guitar chord progression 9

 

 

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Jazz guitar chord progression 9a

 

Jazz Guitar Chord Progressions 10 – Stray Cat Strut

 

Cm7 Cm7/Bb Ab7 G7
im7 im7/b7 bVI7 V7

 

Heard in the classic tune “Stray Cat Strut,” this minor-key turnaround is one that every jazz guitarist should have under his fingers. With a distinctive bass line, simple yet effective harmonic movement, and a swinging feel, these four chords can add spice to any plain minor-turnaround.

To get you started, here are two ways that you could comp through this important minor-key turnaround:

 

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Jazz guitar chord progression 10

 

 

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Jazz guitar chord progression 10a

 

 

Download this lesson as a PDF:

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27 thoughts on “Jazz Chord Progressions”

  1. Estevão Dias

    I recommend listening both original versions from Tom Jobim of The Girl from Ipanema and Desafinado.

  2. André

    My #1 question is : Is your book available in paperback or hardcopy? If so, how can I purchase a copy.
    My #1 comment is: This has been most helpful to me. I’m more of a melodic player of R&B, and Pop songs on a classical guitar (finger picking style). Thus, I like using chords such as M7, m7, m7(b5), o7, etc. I love jazz, but not fluent at it. However, I now have a better understanding of jazz progressions thanks to your online lessons, and plan to build a jazz repertoire of songs, solos, and licks.
    My #2 comment is: The use of standard notation, tabs, and audio made this a pleasure.

  3. Sean

    Id like to buy your pdf book, as I’m wanting to learn some jazz guitar. Does it have fingerings? Because having difficulty on the first lesson moving from the Cmaj7 to the Cb… should I be using my thumb? Or do you take all your fingers off and place fingers in different frets/strings in order to get to that b on the 4th string down (cmaj7) to an a on the 4th string (cb)
    Thanks!

  4. Davey G

    This is awesome for me…the perfect lesson at the perfect time. I spent a long time learning how to just play a ton of jazz chords. This will help me finally take this to the making music level! Thank you so much for making this available!

  5. Josephine Rosella Swann

    Very helpful! Thanks for sharing! :))

  6. Kenshin

    Would you guys be okay if I sampled the audio samples?

  7. Carlos

    Thanks for the instruction, very helpful for a beginner!

    1. Dirk Laukens

      You’re welcome, Carlos, glad to be helpful!

      1. Vito Sousa

        Thanks for sharing this material as a beguinner im very happy.

  8. in this progression…

    Jazz Guitar Chord Progressions 3 – Descending ii V I

    Cmaj7 % Cm7 F7
    Imaj7 % (iim7 V7)

    Bbmaj7 % Bbm7 Eb7
    Imaj7 % (iim7 V7)

    Abmaj7 % Abm7 Db7
    Imaj7 % (iim7 V7)

    the V7 chords are actually the IV7 chord listed and in the progressions. curious if that is a typo or a “chord substitution” i read about. i’m a beginner.

    1. Dirk Laukens

      Hi WB, Cm7-F7 is the ii V of Bbmaj7. If you count up from Bbmaj7 you’ll notice that the F7 comes on the 5th step. The same goes for the following ii Vs.

      1. Willard

        With all due respect, the particular progression referenced starts in Cmaj7, which I think makes the F7 the IV chord. The explanation write up states this clearly (see below) …….. Am I missing something here?

        This is also a very common jazz chord progression. Used in tunes such as “How High the Moon” and “Tune Up,” descending major 2-5-1s are a commonly used harmonic device that can prove to be kind of tricky when first learning to navigate these chords.

        There are 2 modulations in this progression:

        The chords start in the key of C major.
        They modulate to Bb major in the 3rd bar.
        They modulate again in the 7th bar, this time to Ab major.

        1. Dirk Laukens

          Hi Willard, the F7 is a secondary dominant (the V of Bbmaj7), that’s why it is between brackets.

          1. Bob Hunter

            Put differently, F is the 4 of the key it is leaving and the 5 of the key it is entering.

  9. Elvic Kongolo Birkebein

    Hi! what tempo are you using? 🙂

  10. Stamatiskap

    Guys…I am thrill by the work you post and give to any of us!
    (Guitarist from Athens Greece!)

  11. Jonny

    I’m subscribed to your newsletter but can’t work out how to get this lesson in printable pdf like you say is poss. Would welcome any advice,

    1. Dirk Laukens

      Hi Jonny, at the bottom of the lesson is a “Print & PDF” button.

  12. inlandbott

    Hi,

    I’ve noticed that when referring to the II V I Minor progression that the “one” chord is not denoted as a minor roman numeral. Shouldn’t it be
    II V i?

    I purchased your “Easy Guide to Jazz Guitar Chords” PDF and am working through that book and have noticed the same inconsistencies. Most of the time the one chord is denoted with a “I” and sometimes with a “i”, e.g., pages 162 and 163, respectively. Would you mind clarifying when you have a chance?

    thnx!

  13. Greg DiGiorgio

    Wow, oh, wow Dirk. Thanks again!!!

  14. Carlos

    hi there, i am wondering in the sixth progression ( I to IV), which i suppose the iim7 acts as a passing chord so i just let it be..

    I was thinking if it was a mistake or maybe it’s possible both ways, because it appears as I iim7 V7 IV and instead of G7 the progression plays C7 which will be I7 .

    I will be glad if someone can resolve my answers or otherwise if an error exists which one is the correct way of playing that progression?

    Thanks in advance

    1. Raz Elmaleh

      I was also confused at first, and thought there’s some mistake. Then I noticed that in the second bar, the iim7 and V7 are in parentheses, and understood: they act as a II + V relative to the *final* chord, of IV. Relative to the initial chord (Imaj7), they would in fact be a vm7 and I7.

  15. Ralph Cox

    Look forward to learning from the lessons.

  16. Aidan Gribbin

    Superbly comprehensive guys. Thank you so much.

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