Harmonic Rhythm - how to get into jazz

For me it is essential to understand the connections between the chords and in my opinion jazz is probably the best way to learn that vocabulary because it contains everything from very simple and repetitive motives to very complex structures including polyrhythms and odd meters.

The so-called harmonic rhythm essentially dictates when to play each chord. Riffs and melodies often follow 4 or 8-bar phrases, forming entire sections like 4 sets of 4 bars (16 bars) or 4 sets of 8 bars (32 bars). This “rule” is not only common in jazz but also applies to 90% of pop and metal music too. In most songs, the initial chord, is the I chord* and it marks the beginning, and a V chord** typically precedes the return to the I chord. Hence, the last bar frequently features a dominant function chord leading back to the I chord.

Song example 1) all of me: The final four bars are dedicated to returning and reinforcing the I chord: IIm7 | V7 | I6 bIIIdim | IIm7 V7. The pattern is marking the I chord and leads back to the beginning of the form again. Don't be overwhelmed by the chord symbols; the important aspect is the tension and release, particularly the sound transitioning from the V chord to the I.

Song Example 2) have you met miss jones: It's also a 32-bar form. The concluding bar features a IIm7 and V7, leading seamlessly back to the one chord.

Song Example 3) there will never be another you: 32-bar form. The final bar consists of I6 and V7, guiding the progression back to the I chord.

In theory that happens way more often than we think because there are so many substitutions for the V chord. Especially if you analyze some of my songs, I like to use the V chord a lot before starting a new section, especially in a minor context. It can sound very old school like classical music but it can also sound very modern depending on what notes and tensions you add to it.

Here are some examples (using this knowledge) from the latest Obsidious record:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6-ObqI7DcQ

4:00 - 4:25 the guitar solo is 16 bars and the last one is an E7 chord which is the V chord and leads directly into the I chord (A minor).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVagh5BMspE

6:09 - 6:27 also 16 bar part and the last chord is a C7 chord leading into Fm. Standard V-Im progression

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcBrXUIaUD8

1:02 here we have a substitution of a A7 chord. In that case, tritone substitution. So it is a Eb7b5 chord leading into Dm, which is also a V7 - Im progression

* The I chord, also known as the tonic chord, is the primary or "home" chord in a musical key. It provides a sense of resolution and stability, serving as a reference point for the other chords in a piece of music. In the context of a major key, the I chord is major, and in a minor key, it is minor.

** The V chord, also known as the dominant chord, is a pivotal chord in a musical key. It creates tension and a strong desire to resolve back to the I (tonic) chord. In a major key, the V chord is typically a major chord, and in a minor key, it can be either a minor or a major chord. The V-I resolution is a fundamental and powerful harmonic progression in music.