Jazz lead sheet · Advanced
Rhythm Changes in F
I–vi–ii–V turnarounds in F with the classic chain-of-dominants bridge.
- Composer
- Traditional form
- Form
- AABA, 32 bars
- Key
- F major
- Style
- Swing
- Length
- 32 bars
A1F major
I6F Ionian
V7/iiD Phryg. dom.
ii7G Dorian
V7C Mixolydian
A Dorian
V7/iiD Phryg. dom.
ii7G Dorian
V7C Mixolydian
C Dorian
V7/IVF Mixolydian
IVmaj7B♭ Lydian
♯iv°7B W–H dim.
A Dorian
V7/iiD Phryg. dom.
ii7G Dorian
V7C Mixolydian
A2
I6F Ionian
V7/iiD Phryg. dom.
ii7G Dorian
V7C Mixolydian
A Dorian
V7/iiD Phryg. dom.
ii7G Dorian
V7C Mixolydian
C Dorian
V7/IVF Mixolydian
IVmaj7B♭ Lydian
♯iv°7B W–H dim.
ii7G Dorian
V7C Mixolydian
I6F Ionian
B
V7/viA Mixolydian
V7/viA Mixolydian
V7/iiD Mixolydian
V7/iiD Mixolydian
V7/VG Mixolydian
V7/VG Mixolydian
V7C Mixolydian
V7C Mixolydian
A3
I6F Ionian
V7/iiD Phryg. dom.
ii7G Dorian
V7C Mixolydian
A Dorian
V7/iiD Phryg. dom.
ii7G Dorian
V7C Mixolydian
C Dorian
V7/IVF Mixolydian
IVmaj7B♭ Lydian
♯iv°7B W–H dim.
ii7G Dorian
V7C Mixolydian
I6F Ionian
For students
What to notice
- The A sections cycle I–VI7–ii–V: F6–D7–Gm7–C7. D7 is V7/ii, leading to Gm7.
- Bar 5 borrows Cm7–F7 (ii–V into the IV) and B°7, which rises chromatically back toward F.
- The bridge is a chain of dominants, each falling a 5th: A7 → D7 → G7 → C7.
Practice plan
Three steps to improvising
- Play guide tones through the bridge: the 7th of each dominant falls a half step to the next 3rd.
- Learn one short I–VI–ii–V lick and play it in all three A sections.
- Simplify: use F major pentatonic over the A sections and arpeggios over the bridge.
For teachers
Using this chart in class
- Project the chart with Play along running and loop one section while students find the guide tones.
- Choose Practice → Name the numerals for a whole-class quiz: students vote, then reveal the explanation.
- Mixed ensemble? Print the worksheet once per transposition: B♭, E♭, F and bass clef parts all line up bar for bar.
- Share a link: the key, instrument and view you choose are saved in the address bar.
Chord changes are common performance versions written out by Music Theory Lessons. No melodies or lyrics are reproduced. Names of songs and composers are used only to identify each tune.