Jazz is one of the most popular forms of music that has roots originating from blues music. If you want to learn to play jazz, then it’s a good idea to learn basic jazz chord progressions. There are many progressions used in jazz music. This article will share with you some of the most common jazz chord progressions.
ii-V-I
One of the most widely used jazz chord progressions is the ii-V-I progression. Most chords in jazz music are seventh chords, so each chord in this progression will be a seventh. In the key of C, the chords would be Dm7, G7, and Cmaj7. If you don’t know how to play seventh chords, you need to learn them as soon as possible. The notes of Dm7 are D, F, A and C. The notes of G7 are G, B, D, and F. The notes of Cmaj7 are C, E, G and B.
V-ii-I
Another one of the common jazz chord progressions is the V-ii-I. Once again the chords will be seventh chords, but this time they will be in the key of F. The chords played that make up this progression are Cmaj7, Gm7, and Fmaj7. As stated above, the notes of Cmaj7 are C, E, G and B. The notes of Gm7 are G, Bb, D, and F. Finally, the notes of Fmaj7 are F, A, C, and E.
I-vi-ii-V
One of the more advanced jazz chord progressions is the I-vi-ii-V progression. This time let’s play the progression in the key of G. The chords for this progression will be Gmaj7, Cm7, Am7, and D7. The notes of Gmaj7 are G, B, D, and F#. The notes of Cm7 are C, Eb, G, and Bb. The notes of Am7 are A, C, E, and G. Finally, the notes of D7 are D, F#, A, and C.
Learning to play jazz is not very difficult. After you learn a variety of jazz chord progressions, you will have a solid foundation to build upon. All you have to learn next is how to harmonize the chords and you’re well on your way to playing great jazz music.
By: D Swain
If you love to read Jazz sheet music then you will be pleased to know that now more than ever there is a wider variety of jazz sheet music for you to enjoy reading while you are relaxing in your favorite chair. This is because more jazz styles have been developed over the years since jazz music was first invented.
What started out as a regional sound in areas of the Deep South has spread around the world and now it seems that everyone is listening to jazz music and reading jazz sheet music. You can procure just about any style of jazz sheet music online now as there are several sources to select from that carry a vast repertoire of jazz styles to select from.
Many of the newer styles of music have their roots in jazz and if you are interested in researching music styles then jazz sheet music can be a great help in doing that. If you are collector of jazz sheet music and are interested in locating rare and difficult to find selections then you may find what you are looking for at one of the many sources for antique jazz sheet music that you will find online. Another great place to search for jazz sheet music is at one of the many jazz festivals that are held around the country every year.
These are also great places where lovers of jazz music can meet and share each others company as they share their love of jazz music together. If you play an instrument and you are interested in exploring jazz music then your first step should be to obtain some jazz sheet music so you can begin to practice it. Trying to play jazz music with out having any jazz sheet music to guide you along will usually turn out to be an exercise in futility.
By: Alexis Masterson