Bebop Blues Chord Progression
The Bebop blues is the chord progression I7 / IV7 / I7 / v7 I7 / IV7 / #ivdim7 / I7 / iii7 VI7 / ii7 / V7 / I7 VI7 / ii7 V7. In the key of C major it is C7 / F7 / C7 / Gm7 C7 / F7 / F#dim7 / C7 / Em7 A7 / Dm7 / G7 / C7 A7 / Dm7 G7, and in the Nashville Number System it is written 1(7) / 4(7) / 1(7) / 5m(7) 1(7) / 4(7) / #4dim7 / 1(7) / 3m(7) 6(7) / 2m(7) / 5(7) / 1(7) 6(7) / 2m(7) 5(7).
It is also known as bop blues.
Chords from outside the key of C major: C7, F7, Gm7, F#dim7, A7.
Jump to the chords and audio in C, G, D, A and E
Why it works
This sits between the jazz blues and Bird blues. The v7 I7 in bar 4 is a ii-V into IV, bar 8 uses iii7 VI7 to lead into ii, and the last two bars become a I-VI-ii-V turnaround. It gives soloists a ii-V target every few bars while the 12-bar shape stays easy to hear.
Songs that use it
These are the chords as played in each song, in the song's own key.
| Song | Artist | Section | Chords | Key |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Au Privave | Charlie Parker | head and solos | F7 | Bb7 | F7 | Cm7 F7 | Bb7 | Bdim7 | F7 | Am7 D7 | Gm7 | C7 | F7 D7 | Gm7 C7 | F major |
| Billie's Bounce | Charlie Parker | head and solos | F7 | Bb7 Bdim7 | F7 | F7 | Bb7 | Bb7 | F7 | Am7 D7 | Gm7 | C7 | F7 D7 | Gm7 C7 | F major |
| Sonnymoon for Two | Sonny Rollins | head and solos | Bb7 | Eb7 | Bb7 | Bb7 | Eb7 | Eb7 | Bb7 | Bb7 | Cm7 | F7 | Bb7 G7 | Cm7 F7 | Bb major |
Bebop Blues Chord Progression: Chords and Audio in C, G, D, A and E
Press play to hear each key. The diagrams show the shapes used in the audio, and every chord links to its full page.
Key of C major
Key of G major
Key of D major
Key of A major
More progressions like this one
- I-IV-I-V-I: C F C G C
- 12-bar blues, slow change: C C C C / F F C C / G F C C
- 12-bar blues, quick change: C7 F7 C7 C7 / F7 F7 C7 C7 / G7 F7 C7 G7
- Jazz blues: C7 F7 C7 C7 / F7 F#dim7 C7 A7 / Dm7 G7 C7 G7
All guitar chord progressions →
Created by
Giancarlo is a musician (teaching guitar since 2000), software engineer, AI consultant and published researcher
FAQ
What are the chords of the Bebop blues in each key?
In C major: C7 F7 C7 Gm7 C7 F7 F#dim7 C7 Em7 A7 Dm7 G7 C7 A7 Dm7 G7. In G major: G7 C7 G7 Dm7 G7 C7 C#dim7 G7 Bm7 E7 Am7 D7 G7 E7 Am7 D7. In D major: D7 G7 D7 Am7 D7 G7 G#dim7 D7 F#m7 B7 Em7 A7 D7 B7 Em7 A7. In A major: A7 D7 A7 Em7 A7 D7 D#dim7 A7 C#m7 F#7 Bm7 E7 A7 F#7 Bm7 E7. In E major: E7 A7 E7 Bm7 E7 A7 A#dim7 E7 G#m7 C#7 F#m7 B7 E7 C#7 F#m7 B7.
Which songs use the Bebop blues?
Songs that use it include Au Privave by Charlie Parker, Billie's Bounce by Charlie Parker, Sonnymoon for Two by Sonny Rollins.
