Essential Jazz Guitar Chord Progressions

Master sophisticated jazz harmony - From ii-V-I to complex substitutions

🎷 Complex Harmony | Extended Chords | Sophisticated Movement | ii-V-I Patterns

The Sound of Jazz

Jazz Fact: Master sophisticated jazz harmony - From ii-V-I to complex substitutions

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Complex Harmony

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Extended Chords

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Sophisticated Movement

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ii-V-I Patterns

Essential Jazz Guitar Chords

These chords form the foundation of jazz music.

Essential Jazz Progressions

#1: ii-V-I (Major)

IntermediateKey of C Major

The cornerstone of jazz harmony. This progression creates strong forward motion and resolution.

🎸 Standard Tuning:

Dm7
G7
Cmaj7

🎡 Famous Songs:

  • "Autumn Leaves" - Jazz Standard
  • "All The Things You Are" - Jerome Kern
  • "Fly Me to the Moon" - Frank Sinatra

πŸ’‘ Tips:

  • β€’ Practice all 12 keys
  • β€’ Use jazz chord voicings
  • β€’ Study voice leading
  • β€’ Add extensions and alterations

#2: ii-V-I (Minor)

IntermediateKey of A Minor

The minor version of the essential jazz progression. Creates darker, more introspective mood.

🎸 Standard Tuning:

Bm7b5
E7
Am7

🎡 Famous Songs:

  • "So What" - Miles Davis
  • "Summertime" - George Gershwin
  • "Round Midnight" - Thelonious Monk

πŸ’‘ Tips:

  • β€’ Notice the half-diminished ii chord
  • β€’ Practice with different voicings
  • β€’ Study modal interchange
  • β€’ Connect to related major keys

#3: I-vi-ii-V (Rhythm Changes)

AdvancedKey of Bb Major

Foundation of 'Rhythm Changes' - one of the most important jazz progressions based on 'I Got Rhythm'.

🎸 Standard Tuning:

Bbmaj7
Gm7
Cm7
F7

🎡 Famous Songs:

  • "I Got Rhythm" - George Gershwin
  • "Oleo" - Sonny Rollins
  • "Anthropology" - Charlie Parker

πŸ’‘ Tips:

  • β€’ Practice the A section of rhythm changes
  • β€’ Learn common variations and substitutions
  • β€’ Study bebop interpretations
  • β€’ Focus on voice leading

#4: iii-VI-ii-V (Turnaround)

AdvancedKey of C Major

Common jazz turnaround that creates smooth harmonic motion back to the I chord.

🎸 Standard Tuning:

Em7
A7
Dm7
G7

🎡 Famous Songs:

  • "Take Five" - Dave Brubeck
  • "Blue Moon" - Jazz Standard
  • "All of Me" - Jazz Standard

πŸ’‘ Tips:

  • β€’ Practice connecting to the I chord
  • β€’ Learn different turnaround variations
  • β€’ Study chromatic bass movement
  • β€’ Use in endings and transitions

#5: I-IV-viiΒ°-iii-vi-ii-V-I (Circle of Fifths)

AdvancedKey of C Major

Extended progression following the circle of fifths. Creates sophisticated harmonic movement.

🎸 Standard Tuning:

Cmaj7
Fmaj7
BΓΈ7
Em7
Am7
Dm7
G7
Cmaj7

🎡 Famous Songs:

  • "Giant Steps" - John Coltrane
  • "All The Things You Are" - Jerome Kern
  • "Autumn Leaves" - Jazz Standard

πŸ’‘ Tips:

  • β€’ Study the circle of fifths
  • β€’ Practice smooth voice leading
  • β€’ Learn substitute chords
  • β€’ Focus on bass movement

#6: I-bII-I (Tritone Substitution)

AdvancedKey of C Major

Demonstrates tritone substitution - replacing V7 with bII7 for sophisticated harmonic color.

🎸 Standard Tuning:

Cmaj7
Db7
Cmaj7

🎡 Famous Songs:

  • "Satin Doll" - Duke Ellington
  • "Girl from Ipanema" - Stan Getz
  • "Misty" - Erroll Garner

πŸ’‘ Tips:

  • β€’ Understand tritone substitution theory
  • β€’ Practice with different voicings
  • β€’ Study chromatic bass movement
  • β€’ Use in reharmonization

#7: i-bVI-bVII-i (Minor ii-V-i Variation)

IntermediateKey of A Minor

Modal jazz progression using natural minor harmony. Creates darker, more modern sound.

🎸 Standard Tuning:

Am7
Fmaj7
G7
Am7

🎡 Famous Songs:

  • "So What" - Miles Davis
  • "Impressions" - John Coltrane
  • "Maiden Voyage" - Herbie Hancock

πŸ’‘ Tips:

  • β€’ Study modal jazz concepts
  • β€’ Practice with Dorian mode
  • β€’ Focus on the darker harmonic color
  • β€’ Connect to Miles Davis style

#8: IMaj7-#IVm7b5-bVIIMaj7 (Lydian Progression)

AdvancedKey of C Major

Modal interchange progression using Lydian mode. Creates floating, ethereal sound.

🎸 Standard Tuning:

Cmaj7
F#m7b5
BbMaj7

🎡 Famous Songs:

  • "Here's That Rainy Day" - Jazz Standard
  • "Naima" - John Coltrane
  • "Crystal Silence" - Chick Corea

πŸ’‘ Tips:

  • β€’ Study Lydian mode harmony
  • β€’ Practice with altered voicings
  • β€’ Focus on the floating quality
  • β€’ Use in ballads and slow pieces

Essential Jazz Guitar Techniques

Jazz Chord Voicings

Jazz guitar uses specific chord voicings that create sophisticated harmonic colors and smooth voice leading

Benefits:

  • β€’ Creates professional jazz sound
  • β€’ Enables smooth progressions
  • β€’ Adds harmonic sophistication

Tips:

  • β€’ Learn drop-2 and drop-3 voicings
  • β€’ Practice chord-melody arrangements
  • β€’ Study different chord positions on the neck
  • β€’ Focus on the top 4 strings for comping

Chord Substitutions

Jazz harmony relies heavily on chord substitutions to create harmonic interest and smooth progressions

Benefits:

  • β€’ Adds harmonic sophistication
  • β€’ Creates unique interpretations
  • β€’ Enables reharmonization

Tips:

  • β€’ Learn tritone substitutions for dominant chords
  • β€’ Practice chromatic approach chords
  • β€’ Study relative minor and major substitutions
  • β€’ Use diminished passing chords

Rhythm and Comping

Jazz guitar comping requires sophisticated rhythmic patterns and chord placement

Benefits:

  • β€’ Creates swing feel
  • β€’ Provides harmonic support
  • β€’ Enables interaction with other players

Tips:

  • β€’ Practice playing on beats 2 and 4
  • β€’ Learn various comping patterns
  • β€’ Study the rhythm section role
  • β€’ Practice with jazz standards

Jazz Guitar Practice Plan

πŸ“… Month 1: Foundation

Timeframe: 4 weeks

Focus: Basic jazz chord shapes

Goals:

  1. 1. Learn major 7th, minor 7th, dominant 7th shapes
  2. 2. Practice ii-V-I in major keys
  3. 3. Study basic jazz standards

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Ready to Play Jazz?

Start with the essential chords and progressions above. Every jazz legend began with these same basics.