Chord Progression IImaj7-V7-Imaj7

Q: What is the "Bossa Nova" progression?

A chord progression is a sequence of chords that repeats and provides the harmonic foundation of a song. "Bossa Nova" is one of the popular progressions with a distinctive mood and sound.

Q: How do I transpose this progression?

Use the key selector at the top of the page. All chords are automatically recalculated to the chosen key and the fretboard diagrams update accordingly.

Q: Which scales work over this progression?

See the Theory block below: it lists suitable scales and modes for improvisation. Typically these are the scale of the main key and its related modes.

Q: How do I write a song based on this progression?

Choose a tempo and key, add a rhythmic pattern and melody. The progression is a framework: you can build any melody, harmonic decoration and rhythmic variation on top of it.

Lyrical Brazilian jazz progression. Rich color chords with gentle swing.

Dmaj7IImaj7

G7V7

Cmaj7Imaj7

Key:

BPM

Positions & route

1 / 3

Музыкальный контекст

АккордC MajorТрезвучие

АрпеджиоC Major arpeggioТрезвучие

ГаммаC Major Scale7 нот

ТональностьC MajorМажорная тональность

ПрогрессияBossa NovaПоследовательность

Показывает, как текущий элемент связан с ладом, тональностью и используется в музыке.

Theory

General information

Name: Chord Progression IImaj7-V7-Imaj7
Type: Extended
Chord count: 3 chords
Tonal belonging: Major key (extended harmony)
Brief character: Lyrical Brazilian jazz progression. Rich color chords with gentle swing.

Progression composition

Degree sequence: IImaj7-V7-Imaj7
Chords & functions: IImaj7DΔtonic
V7G7dominant
Imaj7CΔtonic
Notation variants: IImaj7–V7–Imaj7
2–5–1
Dmaj7–G7–Cmaj7

Construction logic

Functional formula: TТоникаDДомин.T
Movement logic: The progression is based on alternating harmonic functions.

How it sounds

Character: Blues, rich
Mood: Relaxed, groovy
Stability level: High — resolves to tonic
Sense of completeness: Complete — full cadential turnaround

Harmonic functions

IImaj7DΔCenter of gravity, point of resttonic

V7G7Creates maximum tension, strives for resolutiondominant

Imaj7CΔCenter of gravity, point of resttonic

How motion is created

The progression is built on the contrast between rest (tonic) and tension (dominant) — the classic pendulum of tonal music.

Tensions & resolutions

Chords that pull to resolution: V7
Where resolution occurs: Imaj7
Tension buildup: Tension builds on V7, resolving to Imaj7.

Harmonic context

Natural keys: Cmajor Aminor
Transposition: The progression transposes to any key — the structure (Roman numerals) stays the same, only specific chords change.

Progression variability

Replace triads with seventh chords for a richer sound
Try chord inversions for smoother voice leading
Add passing chords between the main degrees

Connections & application

Related chords

Key chords of the progression — visit each chord page for voicings and theory.

DΔIImaj7 G7V7 CΔImaj7

Related keys

Keys where this progression is most typical.

Cmajor

Related scales & modes

Scales for melody / soloing

CIonian (major)CHarmonic minor CPhrygian

Modes that reveal individual chords

V7G7 Mixolydian

Imaj7CΔ Ionian (major)

Related cadences

Cadential fragments found within the progression.

V7→Imaj7

Authentic cadence

Application in music

Musical scenarios

Not just a genre list — specific situations where this progression shines.

Comes alive through Latin rhythms — bossa nova, salsa, rumba
Gently guides the listener with a smooth jazz feel
Well-suited for soft acoustic arrangements

Genres & styles

Latin

bossa-nova

jazz

brazilian

Featured in songs

The Girl from IpanemaJobim / Gilberto

Garota de IpanemaAntônio Carlos Jobim

CorcovadoAntonio Carlos Jobim

DesafinadoAntonio Carlos Jobim

WaveAntonio Carlos Jobim

Practice

How to play the progression

Learn each chord of the progression separately — make sure every note rings clearly.
Play the full progression without a metronome, focusing on clean transitions.
Set a metronome to 60 BPM and play each chord as whole notes (4 beats per chord).
Use the player at the top of the page for tempo control and an audio reference.

Chord change practice

Isolate each pair of adjacent chords and repeat the transition 10–20 times.
Start slow, increase by 5 BPM only when the transition is stable.
Loop the progression continuously without stopping between repetitions.
Watch for economy of motion — fingers should move as little as possible.

Rhythm work

Start with a simple downstroke on each beat.
Add alternation: down–up on each eighth note.
Try the "Whole → Quarters → Eighths" pattern from the player.
Play arpeggios instead of strumming to develop fingerpicking technique.

Improvising over the progression

Sing the chord tones aloud while playing — this develops your inner ear.
Play a 3–4 note melody over each chord, using notes from the compatible scale.
Try changing the rhythmic pattern of the melody while keeping the same notes.
Record yourself and listen back — this is the best way to assess progress.

Playing in different keys

Use the key selector at the top to see chords in a new key.
Start with nearby keys (±1 accidental): e.g., from C → G or F.
Play the progression 5–10 times in each new key before moving on.
Goal: play the progression in any key without looking at a reference.

Similar progressions

Latin minor groove (i-iv-bVII-III)

Scales for this style

Ionian (major)Phrygian Harmonic minor

What is the "Bossa Nova" progression?

How do I transpose this progression?

Which scales work over this progression?

How do I write a song based on this progression?

Chord Progression IImaj7-V7-Imaj7

Lyrical Brazilian jazz progression. Rich color chords with gentle swing.

Dmaj7IImaj7

G7V7

Cmaj7Imaj7

Key:

BPM

Positions & route

1 / 3

Музыкальный контекст

АккордC MajorТрезвучие

АрпеджиоC Major arpeggioТрезвучие

ГаммаC Major Scale7 нот

ТональностьC MajorМажорная тональность

ПрогрессияBossa NovaПоследовательность

Показывает, как текущий элемент связан с ладом, тональностью и используется в музыке.

Theory

General information

Name: Chord Progression IImaj7-V7-Imaj7
Type: Extended
Chord count: 3 chords
Tonal belonging: Major key (extended harmony)
Brief character: Lyrical Brazilian jazz progression. Rich color chords with gentle swing.

Progression composition

Degree sequence: IImaj7-V7-Imaj7
Chords & functions: IImaj7DΔtonic
V7G7dominant
Imaj7CΔtonic
Notation variants: IImaj7–V7–Imaj7
2–5–1
Dmaj7–G7–Cmaj7

Construction logic

Functional formula: TТоникаDДомин.T
Movement logic: The progression is based on alternating harmonic functions.

How it sounds

Character: Blues, rich
Mood: Relaxed, groovy
Stability level: High — resolves to tonic
Sense of completeness: Complete — full cadential turnaround

Harmonic functions

IImaj7DΔCenter of gravity, point of resttonic

V7G7Creates maximum tension, strives for resolutiondominant

Imaj7CΔCenter of gravity, point of resttonic

How motion is created

The progression is built on the contrast between rest (tonic) and tension (dominant) — the classic pendulum of tonal music.

Tensions & resolutions

Chords that pull to resolution: V7
Where resolution occurs: Imaj7
Tension buildup: Tension builds on V7, resolving to Imaj7.

Harmonic context

Natural keys: Cmajor Aminor
Transposition: The progression transposes to any key — the structure (Roman numerals) stays the same, only specific chords change.

Progression variability

Replace triads with seventh chords for a richer sound
Try chord inversions for smoother voice leading
Add passing chords between the main degrees

Connections & application

Related chords

Key chords of the progression — visit each chord page for voicings and theory.

DΔIImaj7 G7V7 CΔImaj7

Related keys

Keys where this progression is most typical.

Cmajor

Related scales & modes

Scales for melody / soloing

CIonian (major)CHarmonic minor CPhrygian

Modes that reveal individual chords

V7G7 Mixolydian

Imaj7CΔ Ionian (major)

Related cadences

Cadential fragments found within the progression.

V7→Imaj7

Authentic cadence

Application in music

Musical scenarios

Not just a genre list — specific situations where this progression shines.

Comes alive through Latin rhythms — bossa nova, salsa, rumba
Gently guides the listener with a smooth jazz feel
Well-suited for soft acoustic arrangements

Genres & styles

Latin

bossa-nova

jazz

brazilian

Featured in songs

The Girl from IpanemaJobim / Gilberto

Garota de IpanemaAntônio Carlos Jobim

CorcovadoAntonio Carlos Jobim

DesafinadoAntonio Carlos Jobim

WaveAntonio Carlos Jobim

Practice

How to play the progression

Learn each chord of the progression separately — make sure every note rings clearly.
Play the full progression without a metronome, focusing on clean transitions.
Set a metronome to 60 BPM and play each chord as whole notes (4 beats per chord).
Use the player at the top of the page for tempo control and an audio reference.

Chord change practice

Isolate each pair of adjacent chords and repeat the transition 10–20 times.
Start slow, increase by 5 BPM only when the transition is stable.
Loop the progression continuously without stopping between repetitions.
Watch for economy of motion — fingers should move as little as possible.

Rhythm work

Start with a simple downstroke on each beat.
Add alternation: down–up on each eighth note.
Try the "Whole → Quarters → Eighths" pattern from the player.
Play arpeggios instead of strumming to develop fingerpicking technique.

Improvising over the progression

Sing the chord tones aloud while playing — this develops your inner ear.
Play a 3–4 note melody over each chord, using notes from the compatible scale.
Try changing the rhythmic pattern of the melody while keeping the same notes.
Record yourself and listen back — this is the best way to assess progress.

Playing in different keys

Use the key selector at the top to see chords in a new key.
Start with nearby keys (±1 accidental): e.g., from C → G or F.
Play the progression 5–10 times in each new key before moving on.
Goal: play the progression in any key without looking at a reference.

Similar progressions

Latin minor groove (i-iv-bVII-III)

Scales for this style

Ionian (major)Phrygian Harmonic minor

What is the "Bossa Nova" progression?

How do I transpose this progression?

Which scales work over this progression?

How do I write a song based on this progression?

Chords & Arpeggios

Scales & Modes

Harmony & Theory

Tools & Practice

Chord Progression IImaj7-V7-Imaj7

Positions & route

Музыкальный контекст

Theory

General information

Progression composition

Construction logic

How it sounds

Harmonic functions

Tensions & resolutions

Harmonic context

Progression variability

Connections & application

Related chords

Related keys

Related scales & modes

Related cadences

Application in music

Musical scenarios

Genres & styles

Featured in songs

Practice

How to play the progression

Chord change practice

Rhythm work

Improvising over the progression

Playing in different keys

Related

Frequently Asked Questions

Chord Progression IImaj7-V7-Imaj7

Positions & route

Музыкальный контекст

Theory

General information

Progression composition

Construction logic

How it sounds

Harmonic functions

Tensions & resolutions

Harmonic context

Progression variability

Connections & application

Related chords

Related keys

Related scales & modes

Related cadences

Application in music

Musical scenarios

Genres & styles

Featured in songs

Practice

How to play the progression

Chord change practice

Rhythm work

Improvising over the progression

Playing in different keys

Related

Frequently Asked Questions