Banjo · Level 10 · Expert
Rhythm changes (A section) on Banjo
I–vi–ii–V–iii–VI7–ii–V in all 12 keys.
Don’t just read about Rhythm changes (A section) on Banjo. Play it.
Create a free TempoJam account in 30 seconds. Then try the tuner, metronome and Jam Room free for 14 days and record your first take tonight.
Start freeI teach musicFree account. No card needed to join.
Rhythm changes is the second most important jazz form after the blues. The A section packs two chords into every bar at a lively tempo.
Choose a key
C majorCmaj7 Am7 · Dm7 G7 · Em7 A7 · Dm7 G7D♭ majorD♭maj7 B♭m7 · E♭m7 A♭7 · Fm7 B♭7 · E♭m7 A♭7D majorDmaj7 Bm7 · Em7 A7 · F♯m7 B7 · Em7 A7E♭ majorE♭maj7 Cm7 · Fm7 B♭7 · Gm7 C7 · Fm7 B♭7E majorEmaj7 C♯m7 · F♯m7 B7 · G♯m7 C♯7 · F♯m7 B7F majorFmaj7 Dm7 · Gm7 C7 · Am7 D7 · Gm7 C7F♯ majorF♯maj7 D♯m7 · G♯m7 C♯7 · A♯m7 D♯7 · G♯m7 C♯7G majorGmaj7 Em7 · Am7 D7 · Bm7 E7 · Am7 D7A♭ majorA♭maj7 Fm7 · B♭m7 E♭7 · Cm7 F7 · B♭m7 E♭7A majorAmaj7 F♯m7 · Bm7 E7 · C♯m7 F♯7 · Bm7 E7B♭ majorB♭maj7 Gm7 · Cm7 F7 · Dm7 G7 · Cm7 F7B majorBmaj7 G♯m7 · C♯m7 F♯7 · D♯m7 G♯7 · C♯m7 F♯7
Listen first: C major
Cmaj7
Notes: C · E · G · B
Am7
Notes: A · C · E · G
Dm7
Notes: D · F · A · C
G7
Notes: G · B · D · F
Em7
Notes: E · G · B · D
A7
Notes: A · C♯ · E · G
C7
Notes: C · E · G · B♭
Fmaj7
Notes: F · A · C · E
Fm7
Notes: F · A♭ · C · E♭
Why it works
Bar five's I7 is a secondary dominant of IV, and bar six borrows the minor iv from the parallel minor.