Obsessed with a chord progression

TF · 03-04-2026, 11:00 AM

"Whisper Not", by Benny Golson. I find myself playing these changes obsessively, if I'm in noodle mode. Maybe too much...

I read that Brian Wilson played the "Be My Baby" hit record by the Ronettes over and over, all day, for days at a time. Edward Van Halen played the "Walk Don't Run" descending progression incessantly when he was learning guitar, so I have heard.

Any chord changes that have overtaken your mind, possibly to its detriment (haha)?

**garybaldy** · 03-04-2026, 11:24 AM

I listen to Leibestod an awful lot. That's helluva chord progression.

**ragman1** · 03-04-2026, 11:25 AM

I think, looking back, I've only obsessed (well, not really obsessed) over one chord that wouldn't leave me alone for some time. That was in Tom Waites' Invitation To The Blues.

Here's the first two lines. You work out which one it is :-)

Dm - Bbm6 - F/A - Abo
Gm7 - A7sus/A7 - Dm/Gm7-A7 - Dm

(Apart from being a stunningly good progression anyway. Look at that bass line)

**kris** · 03-04-2026, 01:06 PM

I obsessively play progression from Solar/M.Davis/... I practice improvising almost every day.

**JazzPadd** · 03-04-2026, 01:18 PM

Whisper Not is a great tune and it gets called at jazz jams here!

I wouldn’t say obsessive but I do play changes to Like Someone in Love daily, trying to internalize.

**mr. beaumont** · 03-04-2026, 01:51 PM

It's a cliche tune to get obsessed with, but Stella.

**pamosmusic** · 03-04-2026, 01:52 PM

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

It's a cliche tune to get obsessed with, but Stella.

That one and Corcovado for me. Also probably cliche.

I feel like with those, I don't just learn something new about the tune every time I work on it. I learn something new about harmony too. They're both very deep wells.

**AllanAllen** · 03-04-2026, 02:04 PM

Moonglow, it’s the first one I arranged in a way that was pleasing but also simple enough to remember.

**BreckerFan** · 03-04-2026, 02:59 PM

Serenity by Henderson. If I just pick up a guitar to noodle I often end up playing through it. It's a good test of how well I'm hearing and communicating harmony because its so specific. And it just sounds really good.