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.

Practice this progression →

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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.