Tritone Substitution

Imaj7 → bII7 → Imaj7

Position
Cmaj7 chord diagramGuitar chord fingering for Cmaj7: string 6: muted, string 5: fret 3, string 4: fret 2, string 3: open, string 2: open, string 1: open×Cmaj7
Db7 chord diagramGuitar chord fingering for Db7: string 6: muted, string 5: fret 4, string 4: fret 6, string 3: fret 4, string 2: fret 6, string 1: fret 44×Db7
Cmaj7 chord diagramGuitar chord fingering for Cmaj7: string 6: muted, string 5: fret 3, string 4: fret 2, string 3: open, string 2: open, string 1: open×Cmaj7
75

About

The ultimate jazz substitution - replacing V7 with bII7 (a tritone away). Creates a chromatic bass line and unexpected color that defines modern jazz harmony.

Songs using this progression

  • The Girl from Ipanema — Antonio Carlos Jobim
  • Lady Bird — Tadd Dameron
  • Stella by Starlight — Jazz Standard
JazzBossa NovaModern Jazzsophisticatedsmoothunexpectedelegant

Related progressions

Bossa Nova (Girl from Ipanema)
Imaj7 → II7 → ii7 → bII7
Bossa NovaBrazilian
Jazz Ballad (Misty)
Imaj7 → vi7 → ii9 → V7
JazzStandards