Jazz Progressions
Essential chord progressions every jazz musician should know. Each includes voice leading patterns and chord voicings for fourths tuning.
Fundamental Progressions
Major II-V-I
ii-7 → V7 → IΔ7
The most essential progression in jazz. Foundation for countless standards.
Minor II-V-I
iiø7 → V7alt → i-7
The minor key version of the ii-V-I. Common in minor key standards.
V-I Resolution
V7 → IΔ7
The most basic harmonic resolution. Dominant to tonic.
IV-V-I
IVΔ7 → V7 → IΔ7
Classic pop/rock progression, also found in jazz.
Turnarounds
I-VI-II-V Turnaround
IΔ7 → vi-7 → ii-7 → V7
The classic jazz turnaround. Used to cycle back to the top of a form.
III-VI-II-V Turnaround
iii-7 → VI7 → ii-7 → V7
Extended turnaround starting from the iii chord with secondary dominant.
Tritone Sub Turnaround
IΔ7 → ♭II7 → IΔ7
Turnaround using tritone substitution of the V chord.
Backdoor II-V
iv-7 → ♭VII7 → IΔ7
Alternative resolution using the backdoor dominant (♭VII7).
Chromatic Turnaround
IΔ7 → #I°7 → ii-7 → V7
Turnaround with chromatic passing diminished chord.
Bridge Progressions
Vamps
Blues Progressions
Basic Blues
I7-IV7-I7-V7-IV7-I7
The fundamental 12-bar blues form.
Jazz Blues
I7-IV7-I7-vi-ii-V-I7-V7
Jazz blues with ii-V turnarounds.
Minor Blues
i-7 → iv-7 → i-7 → V7alt
Blues progression in a minor key.
Bird Blues
IΔ7-ii-V/IV-IV...
Charlie Parker's bebop blues changes with extensive ii-V movement.
Modal Progressions
Coltrane Changes
These progressions form the harmonic vocabulary of jazz. Master them in all keys to build a solid foundation for improvisation and comping.