Chord & FretJazz · rhythm changes (A section) — Cavaquinho
What is the Jazz · rhythm changes (A section) progression?
The Jazz · rhythm changes (A section) progression is C → Am → Dm → G (I – vi – ii – V), in the key of C. Read as harmonic function it moves tonic → tonic → subdominant → dominant, arriving home on a cadence. Play one chord per bar and let it loop.
Play any song you love and it does this: leaves home, takes a walk, and at the right moment somebody yells "come back!". This progression is that route, road sign by road sign: C (I, home) → Am (vi, home) → Dm (ii, the stroll) → G (V, time to come back). Hit play and follow with your finger on the names — when you reach the chord marked "time to come back", notice your own body waiting for C — the home chord.
Cavaquinho
The cavaquinho is a small, bright four-string with no low bass, so it fills the upper-middle range and leaves the deep notes to others. Jazz isn't its usual room, but choro trained the cavaquinho for rich, colorful chords, so it can back a swing tune with a light, chopping bounce. Its home chord C keeps its lowest note on E and rings 1 open string.
Cadences — Harmony comes to rest here — hear every cadence type and train your ear · open in Chord & Fret
Save this progression in Chord & FretReharmonize — Want richer substitutions? Reharmonize the progression in a tap · use it in Chord & Fret
Learn each chord of the trip
This is one shape of C. In Chord & Fret, you open every position of all 4 chords in this progression along the neck — on any instrument, and hear each one. Open in Chord & Fret →
Metronome — Drill this change in time, with tap tempo and subdivisions · try it in Chord & Fret
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