Violin · Level 10 · Expert

Rhythm changes (A section) on Violin

I–vi–ii–V–iii–VI7–ii–V in all 12 keys.

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THE SHORT ANSWER

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

C major seventh

Notes: C · E · G · B

G 3D 1D 3A 1A 2
String and finger, first position

Am7

A minor seventh

Notes: A · C · E · G

G 1G 3D 1D 3A open
String and finger, first position

Dm7

D minor seventh

Notes: D · F · A · C

D openD 2A openA 2A 3
String and finger, first position

G7

G dominant seventh

Notes: G · B · D · F

G openG 2D openD 2D 3
String and finger, first position

Em7

E minor seventh

Notes: E · G · B · D

D 1D 3A 1A 3E open
String and finger, first position

A7

A dominant seventh

Notes: A · C♯ · E · G

G 1♯G 4D 1D 3A open
String and finger, first position

C7

C dominant seventh

Notes: C · E · G · B♭

G 3D 1D 3♭A 1A 2
String and finger, first position

Fmaj7

F major seventh

Notes: F · A · C · E

D 2A openA 2E openE 1
String and finger, first position

Fm7

F minor seventh

Notes: F · A♭ · C · E♭

D 2♭D 4A 2♭A 4E 1
String and finger, first position
1
Cmaj7Am7
2
Dm7G7
3
Em7A7
4
Dm7G7
5
Cmaj7C7
6
Fmaj7Fm7
7
Em7A7
8
Dm7G7

Why it works

Bar five's I7 is a secondary dominant of IV, and bar six borrows the minor iv from the parallel minor.

On another instrument

Rhythm changes (A section) on Guitar →Rhythm changes (A section) on Piano →Rhythm changes (A section) on Ukulele →Rhythm changes (A section) on Mandolin →Rhythm changes (A section) on Banjo →Rhythm changes (A section) on Flute →

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