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