The 10 Most Popular Jazz Chord Progressions
Learn the 10 most popular jazz chord progressions with practical examples for guitar (tabs/audio) + a list of songs that use similar chord progressions.
Jazz Guitar Chord Progression 1 – ii V I Major
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.
Jazz Guitar Chord Progressions 2 – Rhythm Changes
Imaj7 vim7
iim7 V7
iiim7 VI7
iim7 V7
This chord progression is the first A of a Rhythm Changes.
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 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.
Jazz Guitar Chord Progressions 4 – Dim7 Passing Chords
Imaj7 #I°7
iim7 #II°7
iiim7 VI7
Jazz Guitar Chord Progressions 5 – 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.
Jazz Guitar Chord Progressions 6 – I to IV
Imaj7
(iim7 V7)
IVmaj7
Jazz Guitar Chord Progressions 7 – IV to iv Minor
Cmaj7
C7
Fmaj7
Fm7
Imaj7
I7
IVmaj7
ivm7
Em7A7
Dm7G7
Cmaj7
%
iiim7VI7
iim7V7
Imaj7
%
Jazz Guitar Chord Progressions 8 – Rhythm Changes Bridge
Jazz Guitar Chord Progressions 9 – ii V I Minor
Jazz Guitar Chord Progressions 10 – Stray Cat Strut
Cm7 Cm7/Bb
Ab7 G7
im7 im7/b7
bVI7 V7
