Chord progressions are essential in building the basic framework of a tune.

Jazz Chord Progressions

using three chord cadences

Scale or Mode	Chord Progression
Major	IV-V-I	ii-V-I	V-ii-I	V-IV-I	iii-ii-I	iii-IV-I
Aeolian	v-iv-i	^bVII-iv-i	^bVI-^bVII-i	iv-^bVII-i	^bVI-v-i	iv-v-i
Harmonic Minor	iv-V-i	V-iv-i	^bVI-V-i	V-^bVI-i
Harmonic Major	iv-V-I	V-iv-I	iii-iv-I
Melodic Minor (asc)	IV-V-i	ii-V-i
Melodic Major (desc)	v-iv-I	^bVII-iv-I
Double Harmonic Major	iii-^bII-I
Double Harmonic Minor	^bVI-vii-i

Upper case numerals indicate major, lower case numerals indicate minor.

Chord progressions facilitate forward movement, redirect harmony and establish tone centers. By adding extensions, alterations and other chord tones, Jazz players will often use the potential of this movement as inspiration for improvisation and soloing.

Also see Jazz Reharmonization.