Jazz & Blues Chord Progressions From Famous Standards
The ii–V–I, the Autumn Leaves cycle, rhythm changes and the 12-bar blues, with the standards that made them famous. Every chord is spelled out, you can switch to any key, hear each progression in your browser and download it as a free MIDI file.
ii7 – V7 – Imaj7
built on ii7–V7 pairsKill Bill — SZA
verse, A♭ major (plain I instead of Imaj7)Honeysuckle Rose — Fats Waller
alternates ii and V before resolving to I
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Each chord's root falls a fifth to the next, the strongest root movement in tonal music. The ii prepares, the V7 creates tension (its 3rd and 7th form a tritone), and the Imaj7 resolves it.
Tip: Practise it in all 12 keys with the key buttons above. Most jazz tunes are built from chains of ii–Vs.
iiø – V7 – i
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In a minor key the ii chord is half-diminished (m7♭5), and the V7 takes its major 3rd from the harmonic minor scale, which gives it a stronger pull to the minor i.
Tip: Add a ♭9 to the V7 (A7♭9 in D minor) for the classic minor-key jazz sound.
iv7 – VII7 – IIImaj7 – VImaj7 – iiø – V7 – i
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The first three chords are a ii–V–I in the relative major (Gm7–C7–Fmaj7 in D minor), the VImaj7 links the two halves, and the last three are a minor ii–V–i. Almost every root moves by a fifth, which is why it flows so naturally.
Tip: Learn this one sequence and you have both the major and the minor ii–V–I under your fingers.
i7 – iv7 – VII7 – IIImaj7 – VImaj7
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The same circle of fifths as Autumn Leaves, starting on the minor i. Each chord falls a fifth to the next, so the harmony keeps moving forward bar by bar.
Tip: Continue with iiø – V7 – i to complete the cycle and land back on the i.
Imaj7 – VI7 – ii7 – V7
A section, the origin of "rhythm changes", usually played in B♭Oleo — Sonny Rollins
written on rhythm changes
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The A section of Gershwin's I Got Rhythm. Jazz musicians often turn the vi into a dominant VI7 so it points to the ii. Many bebop tunes were written over these changes.
Tip: Use it as a two-bar turnaround at the end of any section to lead back to the top.
I7 – I7 – I7 – I7 – IV7 – IV7 – I7 – I7 – V7 – IV7 – I7 – V7
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Twelve bars, three chords: four bars of I, two of IV, two of I, then V–IV–I and a V to turn around. Dominant 7ths on every chord give the blues its gritty sound.
Tip: The last bar (V7) is the turnaround. On the final chorus, replace it with I7 to end the song.
I7 – IV7 – I7 – I7 – IV7 – IV7 – I7 – I7 – V7 – IV7 – I7 – V7
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The same form with a IV7 in bar 2, usually called the quick change or quick four. It adds movement right at the start of each chorus.
Tip: Mix both versions: use the quick change on some choruses and the standard form on others.
i – v7
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Alternating the i and a minor v7 creates a hypnotic vamp with no strong pull to resolve, which leaves room for the melody and improvisation.
Tip: Our player and MIDI are in 4/4. Take Five is in 5/4, so stretch each bar to five beats in your DAW for that feel.
Progressions with a lower-case i are shown in a minor key, the rest in major. Songs often use different chords in different sections; the section is listed for each example. "Song key" is the key of the recording as given in the published transcription.
All 8 Jazz and Blues progressions as MIDI, in every key
Every progression on this page in all 12 keys (96 MIDI files, chords and bass on separate tracks, at 100 BPM). You also get our full Chord Progression MIDI Pack (864 files) and The Songwriter's Cheat Sheet (PDF).
Your downloads are ready. Links to the full MIDI pack and the cheat sheet are on their way to your inbox too.
DOWNLOAD JAZZ MIDI → FULL MIDI PACK CHEAT SHEET PDFGot the chords? SongwriterMap walks you through writing the melody, hook and lyric on top. Try the free demo.
How jazz and blues progressions work
Jazz harmony is built on 7th chords and on roots that move by fifths. The ii–V–I is the basic unit: chain several together, in major and minor, and you get the progressions of most standards, from Autumn Leaves to Fly Me to the Moon.
The blues is simpler but just as influential: three dominant 7th chords over twelve bars. It sits underneath jazz, rock and roll, R&B and much of rock.
3 ways to use them in your own songs
- Borrow a ii–V. Put a ii7–V7 before any chord in a pop or R&B song and it will sound like a smooth, jazzy approach to that chord.
- Use 7ths everywhere. maj7 on I and IV, m7 on ii, iii and vi, dominant 7 on V. See the voicings in our piano chord chart.
- Write a blues in 12 bars. Loop the 12-bar progression, then write a three-line verse: line one over bars 1–4, line two (often a repeat) over 5–8, and the answer over 9–12.
Turn the progression into a song
SongwriterMap covers what goes on top of the chords: song structure, hook writing, melody shapes, lyric devices and a 7-point melody check, with an exercise for every item. Try the free demo in your browser.
Quick answers
What chord progressions are used in jazz and blues?
Common jazz and blues progressions include ii7 – V7 – Imaj7 (Satin Doll); iiø – V7 – i (Autumn Leaves); iv7 – VII7 – IIImaj7 – VImaj7 – iiø – V7 – i (Autumn Leaves); i7 – iv7 – VII7 – IIImaj7 – VImaj7 (Fly Me to the Moon); Imaj7 – VI7 – ii7 – V7 (I Got Rhythm). Every progression on this page has playback in any key and a free MIDI download.
What chord progression does Autumn Leaves by Joseph Kosma use?
Autumn Leaves uses iiø – V7 – i in the end of the main phrases: Em7♭5 – A7 – Dm in D minor, according to the published transcription (see sources below).
What chord progression does Autumn Leaves by Joseph Kosma use?
Autumn Leaves uses iv7 – VII7 – IIImaj7 – VImaj7 – iiø – V7 – i in the main theme: Gm7 – C7 – Fmaj7 – B♭maj7 – Em7♭5 – A7 – Dm in D minor, according to the published transcription (see sources below).
What chord progression does Fly Me to the Moon by Frank Sinatra use?
Fly Me to the Moon uses i7 – iv7 – VII7 – IIImaj7 – VImaj7 in the verse (shown with 7th chords): Am7 – Dm7 – G7 – Cmaj7 – Fmaj7 in A minor, according to the published transcription (see sources below).
What chord progression does C Jam Blues by Duke Ellington use?
C Jam Blues uses I7 – I7 – I7 – I7 – IV7 – IV7 – I7 – I7 – V7 – IV7 – I7 – V7 in the 12-bar blues: C7 – C7 – C7 – C7 – F7 – F7 – C7 – C7 – G7 – F7 – C7 – G7 in C major, according to the published transcription (see sources below).
What chord progression does Take Five by The Dave Brubeck Quartet use?
Take Five uses i – v7 in the main vamp: D♯m – A♯m7 in D♯ minor, according to the published transcription (see sources below).
Can I use the same chord progression as a hit song?
Yes. Chord progressions are shared building blocks of music, and the loops on this page are used in hundreds of songs. What makes a song yours is the melody, the lyric and the production. (General information, not legal advice.)
Can I download these chord progressions as MIDI?
Yes. Every progression has a free MIDI download in the key and tempo you choose, with the chords and the bass on separate tracks, ready to drag into any DAW.
Sources: ii–V–I progression (Wikipedia), Kill Bill, Autumn Leaves, Jazz chord progressions (Hooktheory), Fly Me to the Moon, Rhythm changes (Wikipedia), C Jam Blues (Wikipedia), Twelve-bar blues (Wikipedia), Take Five. Song titles are given for reference only. No lyrics, recordings or sheet music are reproduced, and The Sonic Secrets is not affiliated with any artist or label.