The following examples are each in the key of C, to make it easy to follow. Let’s break each of them down individually. By taking the time to master each of these small movements and forms in each key, you’ll be able to pick up almost any tune you can think of. Use them as exercises to learn new techniques, and practice finding them in your favorite standards.Īs with everything in jazz, I find it helpful to think in small chunks. It’s essential to practice these progressions regularly, in every key. In fact, many jazz standards are constructed completely from those progressions. You’ll find these short chord progressions literally everywhere in jazz. The most foundational chord progressions in jazz are: Chord Progression In my experience, these building blocks are 90% of the material you will encounter in your playing. In the same way, jazz has 7 foundational chord progressions that make up virtually every jazz standard you’ve ever heard.

In this act they demonstrate how the same 4 chords are used over and over in hit popular songs. You may have heard of the “four chord song” by comedy musical group Axis of Awesome. The 7 most important chord progressions in jazz By practicing these common progressions in different keys and styles, you will automatically improve your ability to play standards as well. Jazz theory gives us some common functional chord progressions that are used across many songs. These progressions set a songs harmonic structure, and when combined with a melody, they create lead sheets for jazz standards. So, what is a chord progression? A chord progression is a series of chords played in sequence. For that reason, learning to identify and play over these progressions is foundational to your study as a jazz musician. Jazz standards are constructed using these chord progressions, many of which are common thematic patterns throughout the genre. Chord progressions are fundamental to the understanding and appreciation of jazz music.

Piano chord chart jazz