Mandolin · Level 10 · Expert
Rhythm changes (A section) in B major on Mandolin
Don’t just read about Rhythm changes (A section) in B major. 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.
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.
Bmaj7
Notes: B · D♯ · F♯ · A♯
G♯m7
Notes: G♯ · B · D♯ · F♯
C♯m7
Notes: C♯ · E · G♯ · B
F♯7
Notes: F♯ · A♯ · C♯ · E
D♯m7
Notes: D♯ · F♯ · A♯ · C♯
G♯7
Notes: G♯ · B♯ · D♯ · F♯
B7
Notes: B · D♯ · F♯ · A
Emaj7
Notes: E · G♯ · B · D♯
Em7
Notes: E · G · B · D
HOW TO PRACTISE IT
Six steps to a clean loop.
- Play each chord on its own: Bmaj7, G♯m7, C♯m7, F♯7, D♯m7, G♯7, B7, Emaj7 and Em7. Press play on the chord card, then match the sound.
- Mandolin frets are close together, so reach with the fingertips and press each pair of strings evenly.
- Set the tempo to 81 BPM and play the progression with one chord per bar. Practise each pair of bars slowly with a metronome, then link them.
- Strum down on every beat, then try the bluegrass “chop”: a short, muted strum on beats two and four.
- Raise the tempo to 108 BPM once you can play the loop three times without stopping.
- Record one take, listen back and check for even, unhurried changes on beats one and three.
Listen for
Aim for even, unhurried changes on beats one and three. A common mistake is slowing down on the busier bars five and six.
Why it works
Bar five's I7 is a secondary dominant of IV, and bar six borrows the minor iv from the parallel minor.
B major has 5 sharps; its relative minor key is G♯ minor.
Questions
What are the chords in I–vi–ii–V–iii–VI7–ii–V in B major?
In B major the progression is Bmaj7 G♯m7 | C♯m7 F♯7 | D♯m7 G♯7 | C♯m7 F♯7 | Bmaj7 B7 | Emaj7 Em7 | D♯m7 G♯7 | C♯m7 F♯7.
What is the key signature of B major?
B major has 5 sharps. Its relative minor is G♯ minor.
Is this lesson right for my level?
This is a level 10 lesson (expert). If it feels too hard, start with “A neo-soul chord loop”.
Your hands learn faster than your eyes.
Reading a chord chart is step one. Play it to a metronome, record it, and hear yourself get better, all in one app.
Start practising free