Any time you encounter a jazz standard, you’re almost always dealing with at least one of 6 very common chord progressions. 2-5-1 major, 2-5-1 minor, 1-4-1, 1-6-2-5, 4-4minor-1, and the 1-2-dominant-2-minor-V-1 are all extremely popular in the jazz standard songbook. So, when jamming with other players, you’ll find yourself playing these progressions over and over.
One thing you want to avoid is playing these 6 chord progressions exactly the same way every time they come up. In fact, you’ll find that you might not even be invited back to the jam if you are always playing the same voicings, or are interfering with the bass player or vocalist.
In his course, Jazz Comping Factory: Chord Options, Frank Vignola will help you navigate more creative options when playing jazz chords.
Here are eight video jazz
Jazz Guitar Lesson – Minor 9 Sharp 5 Major 9 ii V I: Option 1
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This is one of the most common chord progressions you will encounter in jazz standards. Let’s look at our first set of chord options for the ii V I progression.
Jazz Guitar Lesson – Flat 9 to Chord in Fourths ii V i: Option 1
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This is our first option for a 2-5-1 minor progression.
Jazz Guitar Lesson – E on Top I II7 ii V I: Option 1
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This is another commonly used progression, the I II7 ii V I. Here’s our first option.
Jazz Guitar Lesson – Seven Six Seven Three I vi ii V: Option 1
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Another commonly used progression is the 1-6-2-5 progression. Here’s our first chord option.
Jazz Guitar Lesson – Joe Pass One Four One : Option 1
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Blues progressions are very common in jazz. This is the 1-4-1 progression, option 1.
Jazz Guitar Lesson – Three note Major Minor IV iv I: Option 1
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Many times, the bridge of standards go to the 4 chord. This common progression is 4 (V) to 4 minor (iv) back to 1. Here’s our first option.
Jazz Guitar Lesson – Leaves of Fall: Performance
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This is the progression to the classic tune “Autumn Leaves”.
Jazz Guitar Lesson – Leaves of Fall: Breakdown
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Now let’s break down our chord sub study for the progression of “Autumn Leaves”.
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