Typical Progression for Jazz

[Quap]

I'm not sure there is a right answer, so a small bit of background.

Since hearing Blues Traveler's 'Brother John' I've wanted to write a jazz arrangement.

Assuming a G root, what is a normal progression?

[EADG mx]

I'm not sure I follow

You want to write it but you want to use an established progression?

[ManuelJG]

Normal chord progression??
Are you talking about common chords progresions?? or just want to know the progression for that song?

[Quap]

I want to arrange the song "Frere Jacques" But since it is only an 8 bar song, how would I create a longer piece?

What could be used for a progression? I know very very little about theory, unfortunately.

I don't want to reinvent the wheel but I would like to expand the piece into something more substantial. So if I use G min as the root, the first note of the melody, what is the next step?

[EADG mx]

So you want to take that melody and make it into a jazz arrangement? Reharmonize, basically?

[Quap]

Originally Posted by EADG mx

So you want to take that melody and make it into a jazz arrangement? Reharmonize, basically?

Yes, thank you for understanding my disjointed explanation.

I would like to use a minor key as it lends more of a mourning style to the song. Which based on some reading may be what the original tune was meant for.

It is just a tune that is always stuck in my head.

[ManuelJG]

Do you know the chord progression for that song?

[dwanetom]

Well, just to get you started...if you your I chord is Gmin (GBbD), following with either a III chord (BbDF) or a VI chord (EbGBb). These are Tonic subsitutes, because they have notes in common, but...as a rule, anything can follow a I chord. Whatever your ear likes.

You should write out your melody first and then you have a guide as to which chords will work.

[EADG mx]

Well here's your melody, I'll start on Bb (the 3rd of Gm)

Bb C D Bb
Bb C D Bb

D Eb F
D Eb F
F G F Eb D Bb
F G F Eb D Bb
Bb F Bb
Bb F Bb

you want the key of Gm, so let's figure out the diatonic chords. The most prevalent type of chord in jazz is the 7th chord so let's get the 7th chords:

i 7 - Gm7
ii 7b5 -Am7b5
III maj7 - Bbmaj7
iv m7 - Cm7
V 7 - D7
VI maj7 - Eb maj7
VII 7 - F7


You'll typically want a chord change on the 1, maybe on the 3 as well. Look at which note in the melody falls there and pick a chord that has the melody note as a chord tone (or an extension if you want to get into more advanced stuff).

You could do it like this:

(Gm7)
Bb F D Bb

(Ebmaj7)
Bb F D Bb

(F13)
D Eb F

(BbMaj7)
D Eb F


not a great progression, but that's the idea.

There's no one way to do this. With all substitutions and modulations, jazz harmony can really get as complex as you want it to.