Take the A Train Chord Progression (Imaj7 II7 ii7 V7)
The Take the A Train changes is the chord progression Imaj7-II7-ii7-V7. In the key of C major it is Cmaj7 D7 Dm7 G7, and in the Nashville Number System it is written 1(maj7) 2(7) 2m(7) 5(7).
Chords from outside the key of C major: D7.
Jump to the chords and audio in C, G, D, A and E
Why it works
II7 is a surprise because its F sharp is outside the key, giving a bright Lydian lift over the tonic. Instead of resolving to V as a normal secondary dominant, it slides straight into ii by changing one note. From there a plain ii-V takes it home.
Songs that use it
These are the chords as played in each song, in the song's own key.
| Song | Artist | Section | Chords | Key |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Take the A Train | Billy Strayhorn | A section | Cmaj7 | D7 | Dm7 G7 | Cmaj7 | C major |
| Desafinado | Antonio Carlos Jobim | A section, bars 1 to 6 | Fmaj7 | G7 | Gm7 | C7 | F major |
Take the A Train 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.
Shorter progressions inside it
- I-II-ii: C D Dm
More progressions like this one
- Girl from Ipanema changes: Cmaj7 D7 Dm7 Db7
- Diminished passing chain: Cmaj7 C#dim7 Dm7 D#dim7 Em7 A7
- Sharp four diminished: F F#dim7 C/G
- Autumn Leaves changes: Fm7 Bb7 Ebmaj7 Abmaj7 Dm7b5 G7 Cm
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 Take the A Train changes in each key?
In C major: Cmaj7 D7 Dm7 G7. In G major: Gmaj7 A7 Am7 D7. In D major: Dmaj7 E7 Em7 A7. In A major: Amaj7 B7 Bm7 E7. In E major: Emaj7 F#7 F#m7 B7.
Which songs use the Take the A Train changes?
Songs that use it include Take the A Train by Billy Strayhorn, Desafinado by Antonio Carlos Jobim.
