Rhythm Changes (A) · Jazz

D6 · Bm7 · Em7 · A7 · F#m7 · B7 · Em7 · A7

I6 · vi7 · ii7 · V7 · iii7 · VI7 · ii7 · V7 in the key of D

Gershwin’s eight bars — after the blues, the most-borrowed changes in jazz.

Four bars of rhythm changes (a) in the key of D, written I6 · vi7 · ii7 · V7 · iii7 · VI7 · ii7 · V7 and played quarters over a hi-hat groove at around 144 beats per minute. The chord shapes are below, and you can hear the whole thing play (and slow it down) without an account.

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What the chords are

This is I6 · vi7 · ii7 · V7 · iii7 · VI7 · ii7 · V7 in the key of D. The degree of each chord is what makes the progression recognisable in any key, so the same four moves transpose anywhere once you know them by number.

• D6 I6 at the 2nd fret, on 4 strings
• Bm7 vi7 up at the 2nd fret, spanning to the 4th, on 5 strings
• Em7 ii7 at the 2nd fret, on all six strings
• A7 V7 at the 2nd fret, on 5 strings
• F#m7 iii7 up at the 2nd fret, spanning to the 4th, on all six strings
• B7 VI7 in open position, frets 1 to 2, on 5 strings
• Em7 ii7 at the 2nd fret, on all six strings
• A7 V7 at the 2nd fret, on 5 strings

How it should feel

Strum

Quarters

Groove

Hi-hat

Tempo

144 bpm

Key

D

Voicings

Campfire

Big open grips and barres — the whole-hand chords everyone starts on.

The shapes

Low E on the left, high e on the right. 0 is an open string, × is one you do not play.

More Jazz

• Em7b5 · A7 · Dm6 · Dm6 iiø7 · V7 · i6 in D · Minor ii-V-i
• Em7 · A7 · Dmaj7 · Dmaj7 ii7 · V7 · Imaj7 in D · The ii-V-I
• Dmaj7 · Bm7 · Em7 · A7 Imaj7 · vi7 · ii7 · V7 in D · Smooth Turnaround

Posted Sep 18, 2026. Part of a growing library of guitar chord progressions.