Swing / Jazz Practice Progressions

Swing-friendly progressions (including ii–V–I) to practice timing and chord changes. Load them into ChordFlow and play along.

Swing progressions reward voice leading. Instead of grabbing huge chords, start with compact shapes and move the minimum distance between chords.

Practice at a slow tempo with a steady groove, then gradually increase BPM. Smooth transitions matter more than chord count.

12-Bar Blues Chord Progression

C major•90 BPM

Master the 12‑bar blues in C (C7–F7–G7): the standard form, quick change and turnaround options, plus soloing tips for guitar, piano, and band practice.

ii–V–I: The Jazz Chord Progression

C major•120 BPM

Understand ii–V–I in C (Dm7–G7–Cmaj7): voice leading, extensions, and common substitutions like tritone dominant for comping and improvising.

I–vi–ii–V: The Jazz Turnaround

C major•110 BPM

Learn I–vi–ii–V in C (Cmaj7–Am7–Dm7–G7): smooth voice leading, where it shows up in standards, plus comping ideas and substitutions for endings and intros.

iiø–V7–i: Minor Jazz Cadence

A minor•132 BPM

Unlock the minor iiø–V7–i in A minor (Bm7b5–E7–Am): essential for jazz piano comping, ii–V practice, and darker song endings for better voice leading.

vi–ii–V–I: Jazz Turnaround Loop

C major•152 BPM

Loop a classic jazz turnaround in C (Am7–Dm7–G7–Cmaj7): ideal for swing comping, improvisation practice, and smooth intros or outros in standards for guitar.

ii–♭II7–I: Tritone Substitute Cadence

C major•144 BPM

Try the tritone-sub cadence in C (Dm7–Db7–Cmaj7) for jazz piano comping, slick turnarounds, and smoother voice leading in standards for guitar and piano.

Imaj7–IVmaj7–ii–V: Jazz-Pop Glide

G major•116 BPM

Glide through jazz-pop harmony in G (Gmaj7–Cmaj7–Am7–D7) for smooth intros, chord-melody guitar, and elegant voice leading on piano or keys for songwriting.

Imaj7–vi–ii–V: Turnaround in F

F major•150 BPM

Cycle a classic turnaround in F (Fmaj7–Dm7–Gm7–C7) for jazz standards, swing practice, and writing outros that loop back to the top smoothly for songwriting.

ii–V–I–vi: Jazz-Pop Resolution

D major•120 BPM

Resolve smoothly in D (Em7–A7–Dmaj7–Bm7): a jazz-pop progression for swing comping, pop bridges, and melodic voice leading that feels polished for songwriting.

ii–V–I–VI7: Bebop Tag

C major•160 BPM

Tag an ending with ii–V–I–VI7 in C (Dm7–G7–Cmaj7–A7): classic bebop motion for swing bands, jazz piano tags, and turnarounds into new choruses for songwriting.