Theory
Rhythm Changes
The 32-bar AABA form built on the harmonic frame of George Gershwin's I Got Rhythm.
Rhythm changes are less a single progression than a family of 32-bar AABA tunes that share the same harmonic skeleton. The opening phrase traditionally moves from the tonic to the vi chord, then through ii and V before returning home. The bridge usually travels to the IV chord and walks back toward the dominant.
In Bb, a common opening is Bb6 | G7 | Cm7 | F7, repeated with small variations. The bridge often starts D7 | D7 | G7 | G7 and then uses C7 | C7 | F7 | F7 to turn the corner back to the top. Players add passing chords, but the underlying map stays remarkably stable.
Because the form is so common, learning one set of changes gives you a template for dozens of heads. Listen for the two-bar cells, the motion to the subdominant in the bridge, and the dominant turnaround that sends the form back to bar one.
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