tap a chord for its shape
Jazz & R&B Chord Progressions
13 progressions · jazz, R&B, neo-soul and bossa
Jazz and R&B chord progressions love color: major 7s that glow, minor 7s that sit back, a dominant 7 that is already poised to move. The loops can still be short — many modern R&B hooks are four chords — but the qualities do the talking. This page has 13 jazz chord progressions (and R&B cousins) to hear on piano or guitar, with degree colors and quality badges on every chord. If you are new to sevenths, start with a soft Imaj7–vi7–ii7–V7 wheel; the faces and words will tell you why it feels smoother than a triad version.
✨ Quality marks
- glow
- poised
- mellow
- hanging
- taut
- uneasy
- lush
tap a chord for its shape
tap a chord for its shape
tap a chord for its shape
tap a chord for its shape
tap a chord for its shape
tap a chord for its shape
tap a chord for its shape
tap a chord for its shape
tap a chord for its shape
tap a chord for its shape
tap a chord for its shape
tap a chord for its shape
Common questions about jazz chord progressions
What is a typical jazz chord progression on this page?
A short major-7 and minor-7 cycle, often a ii–V–I flavor or Imaj7–vi7–ii7–V7. “Chill Float” (Cmaj7–Am7–Fmaj7–G7) is a friendly example: glowing majors, a mellow minor 7, and a poised dominant that sends you around again.
Do I need to know jazz theory to use these?
No. Play the card, watch the colors, and read the degree words. The roman numerals show the job of each chord in the key; the quality word (glow, mellow, poised) is the extra color. Theory can come later if you want it.
Guitar or piano for jazz and R&B?
Piano is a natural home, but a clean electric guitar with light arpeggios is just as useful. Switch on the board and keep the key the same to compare voicings.
How do I turn a triad progression into a jazzier one?
Raise major chords to maj7 and minor chords to m7, then listen. If the loop gets muddy, keep the V as a dominant 7 so it still points home. Several cards here are already that transformation, done for you.
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