Continuing on with the I-VI-ii-V, lets talk about rhythm changes.

Built from the bones of George and Ira Gershwin’s “I Got Rhythm,” this progression has become a cornerstone of the jazz language. It shows up all over the place—in standards, in bebop, in swing—and it’s a form that every serious improviser should feel comfortable with.

We’ll be exploring it through the lens of melodic improvisation, especially in the swing and early bebop styles. There’s something really special about how those early players danced through these changes—it’s lyrical, it’s swinging, and it’s full of charm.

This lesson isn’t just about learning more licks. It’s about deepening our connection to the music, expanding our vocabulary, and finding ways to express ourselves with more nuance and feeling. So whether you’re looking to bring a little old-school flavor into your playing or just want to get more comfortable navigating this foundational form, this is a great place to spend some time.

Grab your guitar, get cozy, and let’s explore the rhythm changes together.

Lesson Video 1

Key Learning Outcomes and Topics Covered

• Understanding the structure of Rhythm Changes: Learn the basic chord progression in the key of B-flat and explore its common variations.
• Harmonic Variations: Detailed breakdown of substituting chords like dominant 7ths, flat five substitutes, and diminished chords to add complexity and color.
• Practical Applications: How to apply these changes in a jam session and adapt them to various songs.

Introduction

Our journey begins with the standard form of rhythm changes in B-flat, the most commonly used key. This progression, pivotal in jazz, echoes through countless tunes and is essential for any jam session. As we dissect each part, we’ll explore how modifying this formula can dramatically alter its feel and sound.

Lesson Summary

Basic Progression Analysis:

We start with the basic I–VI–ii–V progression, foundational not just in jazz but in popular music. This section covers:

• Substituting the Bbmaj7 with a Bb6 for a more balanced sound.
• Exploring variations like changing the sixth chord to a dominant or adding diminished chords to enrich the progression.

Advanced Variations:

• Diminished Substitutions: How and why to use diminished chords to replace standard dominants or to create tension and resolution within the progression.
• Flat-Five Substitutes: Introducing flat-five substitutes for dominant chords to add an interesting twist to the traditional changes.

Practice Tips

• Repeatedly play through the changes in different keys.
• Use the provided PDF for visual aids and further examples.
• Listen to recordings of songs utilizing rhythm changes to hear these concepts in action.

Soundbites

• “Understanding rhythm changes is like unlocking a universal key to jazz improvisation.”
• “Every substitution you learn adds a new color to your musical palette.”

Closing Thoughts

So there’s a little exploration of rhythm changes. This chord progression is going to come up over and over again in all different keys, because a lot of songs use all or part of the harmonic backbone. So, all the approaches that I just taught you for rhythm changes in Bb can be applied to just about any song based on a I–VI-ii-V.

Lesson Video 2

Key Learning Outcomes and Topics Covered

• Understanding Rhythm Changes: Grasping the structure and origins of one of jazz’s most iconic progressions.
• Melodic Improvisation: Techniques for creating melodies over complex changes.
• Bebop and Blues Influence: Exploring the integration of bebop lines and blues expressions in solos.
• Chordal Flexibility: Learning when and how to simplify chord progressions in fast tempos.
• Practical Play-Along Tips: Insights on how to practice effectively with backing tracks.

Introduction

In a previous session, we explored the harmonic structure of “I Got Rhythm” by George and Ira Gershwin, a cornerstone piece that has influenced countless jazz musicians. This song’s iconic chord progressions, known as rhythm changes, are fundamental in jazz education and performance. We’ll use this form not just as a reference but as a springboard for our improvisation, helping us understand the seamless connection between structured compositions and free-flowing solo sections.

Lesson Summary

This lesson kicks off with a practical demonstration over a rhythm section, highlighting how to approach rhythm changes with a swing feel. Early bebop styles are emphasized to provide a historical context and to showcase the natural flow of improvisation that this era inspires. We discuss the importance of melody in solo construction, referencing the “I Got Rhythm” theme to build solos that feel both structured and spontaneous.

Subcategories covered include:

• Harmonic Analysis: Breaking down the chord structures and how they influence melodic choices.
• Improvisation Strategies: Various approaches to soloing over rhythm changes, including bebop nuances and bluesy expressions.

Practical tips from the lesson encourage experimenting with tempo adjustments and chord simplification to avoid over-complication, promoting a melody-driven soloing approach.

Soundbites

• “You don’t always have to be a slave to the chords.”
• “Turn it into a song, not just an obstacle course to blow your arpeggios and scales over.”

Closing Thoughts

We’ve covered several different ways of soloing over rhythm changes, using vocabulary from swing, bebop, and blues. Once you’ve learned the solos, try patterning some of your own after these concepts—not just in Bb but in other keys as well, and at a range of tempos—as mastering rhythm changes is absolutely essential for all jazz musicians.