Jazz Chord Progressions

68 Jazz chord progressions. Pick one to see the chords by key, listen to it and download the MIDI.

• II-V-I Progression

  IIm7 – V7 – Imaj7

  Key of C: Dm7 – G7 – Cmaj7

  The most fundamental jazz progression. Refined and sophisticated sound.

• Minor II-V-I Progression

  IIm7♭5 – V7 – Im7

  Key of C: Dm7b5 – G7 – Cm7

  Minor key II-V-I progression. Melancholic jazz sound.

• Rhythm Changes (A section)

  Imaj7 – VIm7 – IIm7 – V7

  Key of C: Cmaj7 – Am7 – Dm7 – G7

  A classic jazz standard progression. Derived from Gershwin's 'I Got Rhythm'.

• Autumn Leaves Progression

  IIm7 – V7 – Imaj7 – IVmaj7 – VIIm7♭5 – IIIm7 – VIm7

  Key of C: Dm7 – G7 – Cmaj7 – Fmaj7 – Bm7b5 – Em7 – Am7

  Famous progression from the jazz standard 'Autumn Leaves'. Beautiful chain of II-V movements.

• Tritone Substitution

  IIm7 – ♭II7 – Imaj7

  Key of C: Dm7 – Db7 – Cmaj7

  A signature modern jazz technique. Sophisticated sound using bII7 as a substitute for V7.

• Coltrane Changes

  Imaj7 – ♭III7 – ♭VImaj7 – VII7 – IIImaj7 – V7

  Key of C: Cmaj7 – Eb7 – Abmaj7 – B7 – Emaj7 – G7

  John Coltrane's revolutionary progression. Divides the octave into major 3rds, smoothly traversing 3 key centers (C, A♭, E) via dominant 7th chords.

• Modal Jazz Progression

  Dm7 – Em7 – Dm7 – Em7

  Key of C: Dm7 – Em7 – Dm7 – Em7

  Miles Davis-style modal jazz. Simple progression alternating between two chords.

• Fly Me to the Moon Progression

  VIm7 – IIm7 – V7 – Imaj7 – IVmaj7 – IIIm7♭5 – VIm7

  Key of C: Am7 – Dm7 – G7 – Cmaj7 – Fmaj7 – Em7b5 – Am7

  Jazz standard made famous by Frank Sinatra. Characterized by consecutive II-V movements.

• Blue Bossa Progression

  Im7 – IVm7 – VIIm7♭5 – III7 – VIm7♭5 – II7 – Vm7 – I7

  Key of C: Cm7 – Fm7 – Bm7b5 – E7 – Am7b5 – D7 – Gm7 – C7

  Fusion of jazz and bossa nova. Beautiful minor II-V movement.

• Jobim Progression

  Imaj7 – I7 – IVmaj7 – IVm7 – IIIm7 – VI7 – IIm7 – V7

  Key of C: Cmaj7 – C7 – Fmaj7 – Fm7 – Em7 – A7 – Dm7 – G7

  Antonio Carlos Jobim's masterpiece. The most famous bossa nova progression.

• All the Things You Are Progression

  IIm7 – V7 – Imaj7 – IVmaj7 – VIIm7♭5 – III7

  Key of C: Dm7 – G7 – Cmaj7 – Fmaj7 – Bm7b5 – E7

  The pinnacle of jazz standards. Complex and beautiful progression with modulations.

• Satin Doll Progression

  IIm7 – V7 – IIIm7 – VI7 – IIm7 – V7 – Imaj7

  Key of C: Dm7 – G7 – Em7 – A7 – Dm7 – G7 – Cmaj7

  Duke Ellington's classic. A quintessential swing jazz progression.

• Take Five Progression

  Im7 – ♭VIImaj7 – Im7 – ♭VIImaj7

  Key of C: Cm7 – Bbmaj7 – Cm7 – Bbmaj7

  Dave Brubeck's classic. Characterized by 5/4 time signature and modal progression.

• Misty Progression

  Imaj7 – IIm7 – V7 – Imaj7 – IVmaj7 – IIIm7 – VIm7

  Key of C: Cmaj7 – Dm7 – G7 – Cmaj7 – Fmaj7 – Em7 – Am7

  Erroll Garner's beautiful ballad. A sweet and bittersweet jazz standard.

• Stella by Starlight Progression

  IIm7♭5 – V7 – Im7 – IVm7 – ♭VII7 – IIIm7♭5 – VI7

  Key of C: Dm7b5 – G7 – Cm7 – Fm7 – Bb7 – Em7b5 – A7

  A standard known as one of jazz's most challenging pieces. Complex harmony.

• My Funny Valentine Progression

  Im7 – IVm7 – Im7 – VIIm7♭5 – IIIm7 – VIm7♭5

  Key of C: Cm7 – Fm7 – Cm7 – Bm7b5 – Em7 – Am7b5

  A quintessential minor key jazz ballad. Made famous by Chet Baker.

• Summertime (Gershwin) Progression

  Im7 – IVm7 – Im7 – V7 – Im7

  Key of C: Cm7 – Fm7 – Cm7 – G7 – Cm7

  A jazz standard born from Gershwin's opera. Bluesy minor feel.

• Wave (Jobim) Progression

  Imaj7 – VIm7 – IIm7 – V7 – Imaj7 – IIIm7 – VI7

  Key of C: Cmaj7 – Am7 – Dm7 – G7 – Cmaj7 – Em7 – A7

  Jobim's bossa nova classic. Sophisticated harmony.

• Corcovado (Quiet Nights) Progression

  Imaj7 – IIm7 – V7 – Imaj7 – IVmaj7 – IIIm7

  Key of C: Cmaj7 – Dm7 – G7 – Cmaj7 – Fmaj7 – Em7

  Jobim's 'Corcovado'. A quiet and beautiful bossa nova ballad.

• Desafinado Progression

  Imaj7 – VImaj7 – IIm7 – V7 – IIIm7 – VI7

  Key of C: Cmaj7 – Amaj7 – Dm7 – G7 – Em7 – A7

  Jobim's bossa nova standard. Complex and sophisticated harmony.

• Samba Progression

  I – VIm7 – IIm7 – V7

  Key of C: C – Am7 – Dm7 – G7

  A cheerful progression that matches Brazilian samba rhythms.

• Salsa Progression

  I – IV – V – I

  Key of C: C – F – G – C

  Classic salsa Latin music progression. Passionate and danceable.

• Jazz Turnaround

  IIIm7 – VIm7 – IIm7 – V7

  Key of C: Em7 – Am7 – Dm7 – G7

  Classic jazz standard turnaround. iii-vi-ii-V progression.

• Rhythm Changes Bridge

  I – VI7 – II7 – V7

  Key of C: C – A7 – D7 – G7

  Rhythm Changes B section. I-VI7-II7-V7 dominant chain.

• Backdoor II-V-I

  IVm7 – ♭VII7 – Imaj7

  Key of C: Fm7 – Bb7 – Cmaj7

  Classic jazz backdoor progression. IVm7-bVII7-Imaj7 pattern.

• Jazz Chromatic

  Imaj7 – #Idim7 – IIm7 – V7

  Key of C: Cmaj7 – Dbdim7 – Dm7 – G7

  Sophisticated jazz progression with chromatic movement. Imaj7-#Idim7-IIm7-V7.

• Smooth Jazz Progression

  Imaj7 – IVmaj7 – IIIm7 – VIm7

  Key of C: Cmaj7 – Fmaj7 – Em7 – Am7

  Smooth and urban smooth jazz progression.

• Bird Changes

  IIIm7 – VI7 – IIm7 – V7

  Key of C: Em7 – A7 – Dm7 – G7

  Complex bebop progression in Charlie Parker style. iii7-VI7-ii7-V7.

• Coltrane Matrix

  Imaj7 – ♭VImaj7 – IIImaj7 – Imaj7

  Key of C: Cmaj7 – Abmaj7 – Emaj7 – Cmaj7

  The core structure of Coltrane Changes. A multi-tonic system where 3 tonic chords cycle at major 3rd intervals (equilateral triangle).

• Tadd Dameron Progression

  IVmaj7 – IVm7 – IIIm7 – ♭III7

  Key of C: Fmaj7 – Fm7 – Em7 – Eb7

  Sophisticated bebop progression in Tadd Dameron style.

• Modern Jazz Progression

  Imaj7 – VIm7 – IIm9 – V13

  Key of C: Cmaj7 – Am7 – Dm9 – G13

  Modern jazz harmony. Heavy use of tension chords.

• Jazz Cycle

  IIm7 – V7 – Imaj7 – VIm7

  Key of C: Dm7 – G7 – Cmaj7 – Am7

  Cyclic jazz progression. IIm7-V7-Imaj7-VIm7.

• Lydian Jazz

  ♭VImaj7 – ♭VII7 – Imaj7

  Key of C: Abmaj7 – Bb7 – Cmaj7

  Lydian mode jazz progression. Floating sound quality.

• Jazz Sequence

  IIm7 – V7 – IIIm7 – VI7

  Key of C: Dm7 – G7 – Em7 – A7

  Jazz progression with sequential development.

• Minor Jazz Cycle

  Im7 – IVm7 – ♭VII7 – ♭IIImaj7

  Key of C: Cm7 – Fm7 – Bb7 – Ebmaj7

  Minor key jazz cyclic progression.

• Sophisticated Jazz

  Imaj7 – #IVm7♭5 – IVmaj7 – IVm7

  Key of C: Cmaj7 – Gbm7b5 – Fmaj7 – Fm7

  Highly sophisticated harmony progression.

• Extended Jazz

  IIm9 – V13 – Imaj9 – #IVm7♭5

  Key of C: Dm9 – G13 – Cmaj9 – Gbm7b5

  Jazz progression with extended chords using many tensions.

• Tritone Resolution

  ♭IImaj7 – Imaj7

  Key of C: Dbmaj7 – Cmaj7

  Tritone relationship resolution progression.

• Chromatic Descent

  IIIm7 – ♭IIIm7 – IIm7 – ♭IIm7 – I

  Key of C: Em7 – Ebm7 – Dm7 – Dbm7 – C

  Chromatically descending jazz progression. iii7-biii7-ii7-bii7-I.

• Jazz Surprise

  Imaj7 – ♭VImaj7 – IIm7 – V7

  Key of C: Cmaj7 – Abmaj7 – Dm7 – G7

  Jazz progression with surprising development.

• Major II-V-I

  IIm7 – V7 – Imaj7 – Imaj7

  Key of C: Dm7 – G7 – Cmaj7 – Cmaj7

  Most important jazz progression. IIm7-V7-Imaj7.

• So What Progression

  Im7 – Im7 – Im7 – Im7

  Key of C: Cm7 – Cm7 – Cm7 – Cm7

  Miles Davis. Im7 Dorian mode vamp.

• Autumn Leaves A Section

  IIm7 – V7 – Imaj7 – IVmaj7

  Key of C: Dm7 – G7 – Cmaj7 – Fmaj7

  IIm7-V7-Imaj7-IVmaj7-VIIm7(♭5)-III7-VIm.

• Blue in Green Progression

  Im7 – IVmaj7 – ♭VIImaj7 – ♭IIImaj7

  Key of C: Cm7 – Fmaj7 – Bbmaj7 – Ebmaj7

  Miles Davis. Modal Im7-IVmaj7-♭VIImaj7-♭IIImaj7.

• Misty Verse Progression

  Imaj7 – IVm7 – ♭VII7 – Imaj7

  Key of C: Cmaj7 – Fm7 – Bb7 – Cmaj7

  Erroll Garner. Ballad Imaj7-IVm7-♭VII7-Imaj7.

• Fly Me Verse Progression

  VIm7 – IIm7 – V7 – Imaj7

  Key of C: Am7 – Dm7 – G7 – Cmaj7

  Standard VIm7-IIm7-V7-Imaj7.

• Wave Progression

  Imaj7 – ♭II7 – Imaj7 – IVmaj7

  Key of C: Cmaj7 – Db7 – Cmaj7 – Fmaj7

  Jobim. Bossa nova Imaj7-♭II7-Imaj7.

• Stella by Starlight Progression

  IIm7♭5 – V7♭9 – Imaj7 – VIm7

  Key of C: Dm7b5 – G7b9 – Cmaj7 – Am7

  Half-diminished intro IIm7♭5-V7♭9-Imaj7.

• Tenderly Progression

  Imaj7 – ♭VIImaj7 – VIm7 – V7

  Key of C: Cmaj7 – Bbmaj7 – Am7 – G7

  Waltz Imaj7-♭VIImaj7-VIm7-V7.

• Cherokee Progression

  Imaj7 – ♯IVm7 – ♭VII7 – IIIm7

  Key of C: Cmaj7 – Gbm7 – Bb7 – Em7

  Bebop test tune Imaj7-♯IVm7-♭VII7-IIIm7.

• My Funny Valentine Progression

  Im – Immaj7 – Im7 – Im6

  Key of C: Cm – Cm – Cm7 – Cm

  Chromatic descent Im-Immaj7-Im7-Im6.

• Round Midnight Progression

  Im7 – ♭VImaj7 – V7 – Im

  Key of C: Cm7 – Abmaj7 – G7 – Cm

  Monk. Cool Im7-♭VImaj7-V7-Im.

• Straight No Chaser Progression

  I7 – IV7 – I7 – V7

  Key of C: C7 – F7 – C7 – G7

  Monk. Blues-based I7-IV7-I7-V7.

• Donna Lee Progression

  Imaj7 – ♭III7 – IIm7 – V7

  Key of C: Cmaj7 – Eb7 – Dm7 – G7

  Parker. Fast changes Imaj7-♭III7-IIm7-V7.

• Naima Progression

  Imaj7 – ♭IImaj7 – Imaj7 – Imaj7

  Key of C: Cmaj7 – Dbmaj7 – Cmaj7 – Cmaj7

  Coltrane. Pedal point Imaj7-♭IImaj7-Imaj7.

• Solar Progression

  Im – IIm7 – V7 – ♭VIImaj7

  Key of C: Cm – Dm7 – G7 – Bbmaj7

  Miles. Modal Im-IIm7-V7-♭VIImaj7.

• Nardis Progression

  Im – ♭IImaj7 – ♭VIImaj7 – ♭VImaj7

  Key of C: Cm – Dbmaj7 – Bbmaj7 – Abmaj7

  Miles. Modal Im-♭IImaj7-♭VIImaj7-♭VImaj7.

• Spain Intro Progression

  IIm7 – V7 – Imaj7 – ♭VIImaj7

  Key of C: Dm7 – G7 – Cmaj7 – Bbmaj7

  Chick Corea. Fusion IIm7-V7-Imaj7-♭VIImaj7.

• Cantaloupe Island Progression

  Im7 – IVm7 – IIm7 – V

  Key of C: Cm7 – Fm7 – Dm7 – G

  Herbie Hancock. Funky Im7-IVm7-IIm7-V.

• Backdoor II-V Progression

  IVm7 – ♭VII7 – Imaj7 – Imaj7

  Key of C: Fm7 – Bb7 – Cmaj7 – Cmaj7

  IVm7-♭VII7-Imaj7. Resolves from the 'back door'. Used in Lady Bird.

• Secondary Dominant Chain

  III7 – VI7 – II7 – V7

  Key of C: E7 – A7 – D7 – G7

  III7-VI7-II7-V7. Chain of secondary dominants creating tension.

• Tadd Dameron Turnaround

  Imaj7 – ♭VIImaj7 – ♭VImaj7 – V7

  Key of C: Cmaj7 – Bbmaj7 – Abmaj7 – G7

  Imaj7-♭VIImaj7-♭VImaj7-V7. Lady Bird turnaround.

• Tritone Sub Turnaround

  IIIm7 – ♭III7 – IIm7 – ♭II7

  Key of C: Em7 – Eb7 – Dm7 – Db7

  IIIm7-♭III7-IIm7-♭II7. Chromatic tritone substitution turnaround.

• Minor Blues Changes

  Im7 – IVm7 – ♭VImaj7 – V7

  Key of C: Cm7 – Fm7 – Abmaj7 – G7

  Im7-IVm7-♭VImaj7-V7. Minor blues variation.

• Stella by Starlight Bridge

  IVm7 – ♭VII7 – ♭IIImaj7 – ♭VI7

  Key of C: Fm7 – Bb7 – Ebmaj7 – Ab7

  IVm7-♭VII7-♭IIImaj7-♭VI7. Bridge from Stella by Starlight.

• Passing Diminished Progression

  Imaj7 – ♯Idim7 – IIm7 – ♯IIdim7

  Key of C: Cmaj7 – Dbdim7 – Dm7 – Ebdim7

  Imaj7-♯Idim7-IIm7-♯IIdim7. Chromatic passing diminished 7ths.

• Lydian Chromatic Progression

  Imaj7♯11 – ♭IImaj7♯11 – Imaj7♯11 – Imaj7♯11

  Key of C: Cmaj7 – Dbmaj7 – Cmaj7 – Cmaj7

  Imaj7♯11-♭IImaj7♯11-Imaj7♯11. George Russell's Lydian concept.

• Countdown Progression

  IIm7 – ♭II7 – ♭VImaj7 – IV7

  Key of C: Dm7 – Db7 – Abmaj7 – F7

  IIm7-♭II7-♭VImaj7-♭VI7-IVmaj7. Coltrane's Countdown.