Sophisticated Chord Progressions & Guitar Chords
Complex, jazzy chord progressions with extended harmonies.
11 progressions found
All Sophisticated Progressions
Jazz Chill (vi-ii-V-I)
Jazzvi7 · ii7 · V7 · Imaj7
The quintessential jazz turnaround with rich 7th chords. The vi7-ii7-V7-Imaj7 follows the circle of fifths for smooth voice leading, perfect for chill coffeehouse vibes and neo-soul.
Neo-Soul Smooth (Best Part)
Neo-SoulImaj7 · v7 · IVmaj7 · VImaj7
The lush, romantic progression that defines modern neo-soul. Dmaj7-Am7-Gmaj7-Bbmaj7 creates that warm, intimate atmosphere. Daniel Caesar's signature sound.
Jazz Circle of Fifths
Jazziii7 · vi7 · ii7 · V7
The diatonic circle of fifths progression with 7th chords. Each chord's root is a fifth below the previous, creating smooth harmonic motion that resolves to the I chord.
Bossa Nova (Girl from Ipanema)
Bossa NovaImaj7 · II7 · ii7 · bII7
The sophisticated Brazilian progression featuring jazzy major 7th chords and chromatic movement. The tritone substitution creates that smooth, elegant bossa feel.
Jazz Ballad (Misty)
JazzImaj7 · vi7 · ii9 · V7
The lush, romantic jazz ballad progression with extended chords. The ii9 adds extra color and sophistication to this timeless sound.
Diminished Passing Chord
JazzImaj7 · #Idim7 · ii7 · V7
A classic jazz and swing technique using a diminished 7th chord as a chromatic passing chord between Imaj7 and ii7. Creates smooth voice leading and harmonic tension.
Minor Jazz Chromatic
Jazzi7 · bVII7 · VI7 · V7
A sophisticated minor jazz progression with all dominant 7th chords descending chromatically. Creates a smooth, bebop-influenced sound.
Tritone Substitution
JazzImaj7 · bII7 · Imaj7
The ultimate jazz substitution - replacing V7 with bII7 (a tritone away). Creates a chromatic bass line and unexpected color that defines modern jazz harmony.
Anime Jazz (Bebop Style)
Jazzi7 · IIImaj7 · iv7 · V7
The big band jazz sound of Cowboy Bebop. Tank! uses Cm7-Ebmaj7-Fm7-G7 with Latin-infused hard bop energy. The 7th chords give it that authentic big band jazz feel.
Just the Two of Us (丸サ進行)
City PopIVmaj7 · III7 · vi7 · v7 · I7
Known in Japan as 丸サ進行, after Sheena Ringo's 'Marunouchi Sadistic', and in the West as the 'Just the Two of Us' changes. The move from IVmaj7 to III7 is the hook: a secondary dominant that pulls hard into the vi chord and gives city pop, neo-soul and modern J-pop their smooth, slightly aching quality.
City Pop ii-V-I Turnaround
City Popii7 · V7 · Imaj7 · vi7
The jazz turnaround that city pop borrowed wholesale. Dm7-G7-Cmaj7 resolves, then vi7 swings it straight back around, which is how these records stay glossy for four minutes without ever quite sounding like they have landed.