Jazz Chord Progressions Fun to Play
Fingerstyle Jazz Guitar
Today I am going to show you some of the Jazz chord progressions I like the most.
In the video, I really try to start with a straightforward approach and then slowly develop to a more difficult and articulated approach.
Jazz chord progressions are really fun to play but also really challenging—so many different voicing, extensions, and rhythmic patterns change all the time.
We are going to play the following chord progressions.
- Cmaj7 – Dmin7 – Emin7 – Dmin7
- Dmin7 – G7 – Cmaj7 – Amin
- Amin7 – Dmin7 – G7 – Cmaj7 – Fmaj7 – Bhalfdim (Bmin7b5) – E7
- A7 – F7 – Bmin7 – E7
- Cmaj7 – Amin7 – Dmin7 – G7
The Video
The Chord Progressions
Let’s get into Details.
Jazz chord progressions are an awesome tool that you can use to spice up your chords and learn more about music theory and harmony.
However, it can be pretty challenging to get started and quite frustrating the get the sound in your head.
Jazzy chords sound different, so allow your ears (and brain) to get used to the new sound.
Let’s get into details and learn more about these chord progressions.
Chord Progression N.1
Cmaj7 – Dmin7 – Emin7 – Dmin7
This is one of the most common jazz chord progression used in Latin music.
I am using a Bossa Nova rhythmic pattern that is characteristic of this music.
You might find challenging the alternate bass note between the root note and the 5th.
You can also label this chord progression as I – II – III – II.
Chord Progression N.2
Dmin7 – G7 – Cmaj7 – Amin
If we had to identify the most common Jazz chord progression, that would include the II- V – I – VI.
This is probably the place where all the jazz musicians start from.
I am using many different voicing and chord extensions, so make sure you get a tab if you want to know more.
Chord Progression N.3
Amin7 – Dmin7 – G7 – Cmaj7 – Fmaj7 – Bhalfdim (Bmin7b5) – E7
I borrowed this chord progression from a famous start Jazz called Autumn Leaves.
There is so much going on!
A major II – V – I in C major resolving the IV degree (the F major 7) and a II – V – I in A minor.
Chord Progression N.4
A7 – F#7 – Bmin7 – E7
The famous turnaround in Jazz music is a passage playing at the end of a section that leads to the next section.
This is a Blues Turnaround, so it starts with a Dominant 7th chord.
The F#7 easily resolves on the B minor chord, and the E7 is the dominant chord that resolves on the A7.
Each chord in the turnaround can be treated as a dominant chord.
Chord Progression N.5
Cmaj7 – Amin7 – Dmin7 – G7
The I – VI – II – V is indeed one of the most played Jazz chord progression ever played.
I love when the progression starts with a Maj7 chord followed by a min7.
This is definitely the place you should start if you want to familiarize yourself with jazz chords.