Jazz Blues Chord Progression
The Jazz blues is the chord progression I7 IV7 I7 I7 / IV7 #ivdim7 I7 VI7 / ii7 V7 I7 V7. In the key of C major it is C7 F7 C7 C7 / F7 F#dim7 C7 A7 / Dm7 G7 C7 G7, and in the Nashville Number System it is written 1(7) 4(7) 1(7) 1(7) / 4(7) #4dim7 1(7) 6(7) / 2m(7) 5(7) 1(7) 5(7).
It is also known as jazz blues changes.
Chords from outside the key of C major: C7, F7, F#dim7, A7.
Jump to the chords and audio in C, G, D, A and E
Why it works
Jazz players keep the 12-bar frame but add motion. The #ivdim7 in bar 6 is a chromatic step from IV back to I, VI7 is the dominant of ii, and bars 9 and 10 swap the old V to IV for a ii-V that drives home. The sound is smoother and more urban, and it invites bebop lines.
Songs that use it
These are the chords as played in each song, in the song's own key.
| Song | Artist | Section | Chords | Key |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Monk | Thelonious Monk | head and solos | Bb | Eb7 | Bb7 | Bb7 | Eb7 | Edim7 | Bb7 | Bb7 | Cm7 | F7 | Bb7 | Bb7 | Bb major |
| Now's the Time | Charlie Parker | head and solos | F7 | Bb7 | F7 | F7 | Bb7 | Bdim7 | F7 | F7 | Gm7 | C7 | F7 | F7 | F major |
| Stormy Monday | T-Bone Walker / The Allman Brothers Band | verse | G7 C9 G7 Ab7 G7 | C9 C9 G7 Am7 Bm7 Bb7 | Am7 Abm7 Am7 Cm7 G7 C9 G7 Daug | G major |
Jazz 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.
More progressions like this one
- 12-bar minor blues: Cm7 Cm7 Cm7 Cm7 / Fm7 Fm7 Cm7 Cm7 / Ab7 G7 Cm7 G7
- Bird blues: Cmaj7 Bm7b5 E7 / Am7 D7 / Gm7 C7 / F7 Fm7 Bb7 / Em7 A7 / Ebm7 Ab7 / Dm7 G7 / C A7 Dm7 G7
- 8-bar blues: C G F F / C G C G
- 16-bar blues: C C C C / C C C C / F F C C / G F C C
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 Jazz blues in each key?
In C major: C7 F7 C7 C7 F7 F#dim7 C7 A7 Dm7 G7 C7 G7. In G major: G7 C7 G7 G7 C7 C#dim7 G7 E7 Am7 D7 G7 D7. In D major: D7 G7 D7 D7 G7 G#dim7 D7 B7 Em7 A7 D7 A7. In A major: A7 D7 A7 A7 D7 D#dim7 A7 F#7 Bm7 E7 A7 E7. In E major: E7 A7 E7 E7 A7 A#dim7 E7 C#7 F#m7 B7 E7 B7.
Which songs use the Jazz blues?
Songs that use it include Blue Monk by Thelonious Monk, Now's the Time by Charlie Parker, Stormy Monday by T-Bone Walker / The Allman Brothers Band.
