Common Chord Progressions and Sequences

This page lists common progressions and the very well known standard songs that use them.

II V I and unresolved II V

Too numerous to actually list songs with this progression. The V to I, Dominant to Tonic chord movement IS the most common progression in western music. Occurs either major or minor. Examples: Dm7 G7 Cmaj7 (Major), Dm7b5 G7 Cm7 (Minor)

I VI II V

• I Got Rhythmn
• Blue Moon

Backdoor Changes

TRIGGER: I ↑P4 ur(II V) kc I

Based on the minor third substitution principle, a bVII7 is a substitute for a V chord. The II (IVm7 or IVm6) of the bVII is typical. A quasi II V Used to return to the key center after a IV chord. Can also be used unresolved

Returning to a I after a IV chord

• A Foggy Day
• All The Things You Are
• Blue for Alice
• Cherokee
• Donna Lee
• I've Grown Acoustomed to Her face
• Just Friends
• Just The Way You Are
• Lil' Darlin
• Meditation
• Misty
• Moon River
• One Note Samba
• There Will Never Be Another You
• Wave

Sub for V or II V

• Darn That Dream
• Days of Wine and Roses
• Embraceable You
• Four
• Groovin' High
• On Green Dolphin Street
• Over the Rainbow
• Shadow of Your Smile (The)
• Stardust
• Summer Samba
• Tenderly
• When Sunny Gets Blue

Unresolved

• Desifanado
• Four On Six
• Joy Spring
• How High The Moon | Ornithology
• Lady Bird
• Valse Hot

I II7 II V

TRIGGER: I ↑ M2 7th prime II V I
V of II Secondary Dominant

• Desafinado
• Jersey Bounce
• Take the 'A' Train
• The Girl From Ipanema
• Watch What Happens

Confimation Changes

TRIGGER: I ↓ m2 II V backcycle to IV

• Blues for Alice
• Confimation
• Bluesette
• Seven Steps to Heaven

Descending Whole Step Modulations

TRIGGER: II V I prime' II V I prime' II V ...

• Afternoon in Paris
• Alone Together
• Bluesette
• Call Me
• Cherokee (bridge)
• How High the Moon
• Invitation (bridge)
• Once I Loved
• One Note Samba (bridge)
• Recorda-Me
• Solar
• Tune Up
• Watch What Happens (bridge)
• Wave (bridge)
• What Is This Thing Called Love

I I7 IV, I (II V of IV) IV, cadence to IV

TRIGGER: I ↑ P5 II V I
V of IV Seconday Dominant

• I Got Ryhthm
• Misty
• Scrapple the Apple
• Stompin' At The Savoy
• Sweet Georgia Brown
• The Flintstones Theme

Satin Doll Bridge

TRIGGER: ↑ P5 II V I ↑ M3 ur(II V) TB to kc

• Satin Doll

Wave Bridge

TRIGGER: ↑ P5 II V I prime' II V I TB to kc

• Love Man
• One Note Samba
• Tune Up
• Wave

Piardy Third

TRIGGER: IIm7b5 V minor resolving to a major I

• Bluesette
• How High The Moon
• What's New

Rhythm Changes

TRIGGER: I ↑ P5 II V I

• Oleo
• Scrapple the Apple
• I Got Ryhthm
• Stompin' At The Savoy
• Sweet Georgia Brown
• The Flintstones Theme