Chord & FretJazz · rhythm changes (A section) — Electric guitar
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.
Good music works like a good walk: you leave, get a little lost on purpose, and come back. The map of this one: C (I, home) → Am (vi, home) → Dm (ii, the stroll) → G (V, time to come back). Press play and follow along — at the "time to come back" chord, notice the physical urge to hear C again — the home chord.
Electric guitar
On an electric guitar you rarely have to cover the low bass yourself, because in a band the bass player takes that job, so your chords can sit higher and cleaner. The warm hollow-body electric is a classic jazz voice, ideal for the rich chords that back a soloist in swing, though gypsy jazz keeps to its bright acoustic sound. Its home chord C keeps its lowest note on C and rings 2 open strings.
Cadences — Harmony comes to rest here — hear every cadence type and train your ear · try it 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 · open in Chord & Fret
Next level, no mystery: in the Chord & Fret app you hear, see and play every position — App Store / Google Play.