Learning jazz chords can be a frustrating obstacle on your path to becoming a better improviser. But what a lot of players forget is that the process isn’t just about memorizing chord symbols from a lead sheet and hoping for the best…
The key to improving lies in understanding how each chord functions and developing musical tools for the chord types that occur in nearly every jazz standard.
And one of these common chord types is the flat VII7chord.
The bVII chord is exactly what it sounds like, the dominant “flat VII chord” of a Major key. In the key of Bb Major this would be an Ab7.
The thing is, this chord doesn’t exactly make sense in the context of a major key and doesn’t resolve where it’s supposed to. You may have even encountered this chord while playing tunes like the jazz standard Cherokee…
Whether you’re learning a tune or studying a progression, it’s easy to stumble upon this chord and see it as an outlier – a random chord thrown in by the composer that you just have to memorize.
However, the bVII7 chord is actually an essential part of the harmonic universe of any major key, and one that is used extensively throughout the jazz repertoire…
You’ll find this chord in jazz standards like Lady Bird, Just Friends, There Will Never Be Another You, Joy Spring, Stella By Starlight, and The Days of Wine and Roses to name a few. And the list could go on and on…
If you want to improve the way you improvise over these jazz standards, it’s vital that you know exactly how the bVII chord works and how to navigate it in your solos.
In today’s PRO lesson we’ll help you do that just that. Below we’ll show you six powerful tactics for improvising over this chord taken from some of the best players out there.
Let’s get started…
The Flat Vii7 chord: a Quick Jazz Theory Primer
So where exactly does the bVII7 chord come from??
As you improvise over one of the tunes listed above, you might be thinking…“OK, I’m in the key of C Major, but where the heck does this Bb7 chord come from?”
The reason you’ll find this chord in so many standards is that it’s a progression naturally found in the circle of 5ths, utilizing the concept of cycle movement.
You’re probably familiar with V7 resolving to I, I moving to the IV chord, or even the bridge of Rhythm Changes…these are all examples of a chord progression that resolves using root movement around the circle of 5ths.
As a listeners, we are naturally accustomed to hearing things resolve around the cycle, and the bVII chord is simply an extension of this harmonic relationship:
In jazz standards, the bVII often resolves back to I chord, essentially acting as a substitute for the diatonic V7 chord…Bb7 = G7 with a #9 and b9.
Here are a couple music theory details to keep in mind with the bVII chord:
Where does the bVII7 resolve to?
In the context of jazz standards, you’ll find the bVII7 chord resolves in 3 common ways – to the I chord (shown in the key of C):
To the VI7 chord or minor vi chord, the root descending by half-step:
And to the iii chord, a similar harmonic function as the resolution to I:
The bVII7 is also the “Backdoor ii-V”
The bVII7 chord is often found in tunes as a “backdoor ii-V,” a ii-V built on the bVII chord. As with any dominant chord (V7), you can imply the related ii-V rather than sustaining the dominant.
One way you’ll often encounter backdoor ii-V’s in a key is moving from the IV chord back to the I, by way of the bVII.
You can include the #11 on the bVII7
The voicing or sound of the bVII7 often includes the #11…
This is a sound that shares common tones (a triad) with the I chord and a tone color that you should be familiar with.
For more on this chord and other essential harmonic elements of the jazz repertoire, get the Jazz Theory Unlockedcourse!
Hey, Sorry to Interrupt...
I know you were just getting into this lesson, but this one’s reserved for
Jazzadvice PRO members.
Already a PRO member? Log in below to keep reading.
So here’s the deal…
We’re not some big company. We’re just two guys — Forrest & Eric — who’ve spent years pouring everything we know about jazz into this site.
Thousands of musicians have learned from Jazzadvice, but here’s the truth: Jazzadvice has almost shut down more than once. Creating this kind of material takes time, energy, and everything we’ve got.
That’s why we built Jazzadvice PRO — to give aspiring improvisers the best jazz improvisation material on the planet, while keeping the site alive for years to come.
So if Jazzadvice has ever helped you break through a plateau, find new motivation, or rediscover why you love playing, consider joining PRO to give back, while taking your own playing to the next level.
Choose your PRO plan
Introductory Pricing — Available for a Limited Time
PRO Basic
Get access to the full lesson library: ideas, concepts, language & more.
Each of our full-length Jazzadvice Courses is available individually for $229, and for good reason — they’re complete programs built to transform how you hear, understand, and play jazz.
But with PRO All-Access, you don’t have to choose. You get all five courses, every PRO lesson, and everything new we release for just $10/month.
That’s over $1,300 worth of material, plus all future content, for less than the price of a single course!
Included With PRO All-Access
Jazz Theory Unlocked
Ear Training Method
Melodic Power
Jazz Visualization Course
Reprogramming the Musical Mind
Full Library of PRO Lessons
Access to all Future Content
Individual Price
$229
$229
$229
$229
$229
$108/year
$500+ Value
TOTAL VALUE: Over $1,300 YOUR PRICE: Just $10/month (billed yearly)
Thousands of musicians paid full price for these courses and lessons, and for good reason. The material works. It helps players make real, lasting progress.
PRO All-Access gives you everything for one low price — lessons, courses, and every new release — so you can stop piecing things together and start focusing on what really matters: becoming the player you want to be.
All Member-Only Lessons (included with Both PRO Plans)
Every lesson like the one you were just reading is part of a larger collection — deep dives on the real skills that matter: improvisation, harmony, ear training, and the practice habits that separate great players from the rest.
Tons of focused, member-only lessons that go far beyond what we can share publicly
Downloadable workbooks and exercises to quickly turn deep concepts into real skills.
Fresh new lessons added regularly to keep your practice inspired
All 5 Fundamental Courses (included with PRO All-Access)
When you’re ready to go deeper, PRO All-Access gives you the full picture. Five complete courses that will take your skills to new heights:
The Ear Training Method - Hear harmony like a pro.
Melodic Power – shape lines with clarity, direction, and intent.
Jazz Theory Unlocked – Unravel the logic behind any tune.
Reprogramm the Musical Mind – upgrade your habits & mindset.
Visualization for Jazz – build mental fluency to play with freedom.
Everything New We Create (included with PRO All-Access)
Jazzadvice keeps growing — and when you’re a PRO All-Access member, you grow with it. That means every new lesson, every new course, and every new tool we build automatically becomes part of your membership.
No upgrades. No extra cost. Just an ever-expanding library designed to help you keep improving.
And here's the truth...
Every musician hits a point where progress stalls, where you feel stuck, repeating the same ideas and not sure how to move forward. That’s the moment most people drift away.
But you don’t have to. You found Jazzadvice for a reason — because you have a true desire to take your playing to the next level. And everything we’ve built inside PRO is designed to help you keep that momentum going, to keep you inspired and play with confidence.
So if these lessons have sparked something in you — even just a glimpse of what’s possible, don’t let it fade. Join PRO, keep learning, and see how far you can really go.
Introductory Pricing — Available for a Limited Time
PRO Basic
Get access to the full lesson library: ideas, concepts, language & more.
Q: What payment methods do you accept? A: You can easily pay by credit card or PayPal.
Q: How do I access my content? A: After checkout, simply log in to your Jazzadvice account. From your Dashboard you’ll instantly see everything included in your plan, whether that’s a single Course, PRO Basic, or full PRO All-Access membership. Everything is online — no shipping, no waiting.
Q: Will my PRO Membership renew automatically? A: Yes. Your membership will renew automatically. You can manage or cancel anytime directly from your account. One-time Course purchases do not renew. For full details, please see our PRO Membership Terms.
Q: What’s the difference between PRO Basic, PRO All-Access, and buying a Course? A: PRO Basic unlocks every member-only Lesson on Jazzadvice. PRO All-Access includes everything in PRO Basic, plus all five Fundamental Courses and every new release we create. Single Course purchases give access to just that one course on its own without a membership.
Q: Does PRO include all Courses and Lessons? A: It depends on your plan. PRO Basic includes all member-only Lessons. PRO All-Access includes all Courses, all Lessons, and all future content.
Q: What format is the material in? A: All content is 100% online. Courses may include streamable video, written materials, and audio exercises. PRO lessons often include downloadable PDFs or practice guides. Nothing is shipped.
Q: What if I’m a Premium Member? A: You’ve been grandfathered into PRO Basic, the updated version of our original Premium membership. You’ll keep full access to all the member-only lessons you already had. If you’d like to go further and unlock all Courses and future releases, you can upgrade to PRO All-Access at any time. Once you join PRO All-Access, you can cancel your PRO Basic plan yourself, or we can take care of it for you.
Q: What if I’ve purchased a Course in the past? A: You’ll always keep what you’ve bought. PRO simply goes further — giving you every Course (with PRO All-Access) and every PRO Lesson in one system. All new Courses will only be available inside PRO All-Access.
Q: If I already purchased a Course or still have time left on my Premium Membership, do I get a discount or credit toward PRO All-Access? A: No. PRO All-Access is a new membership system and separate purchase. It offers the best overall value — every Course, every Lesson, and future releases for one price. Previous purchases remain in your account but don’t transfer as credit.
Q: How do I cancel my membership? A: You can manage or cancel your membership any time from your Account Settings on your Dashboard. When you cancel, your access continues until the end of your current annual membership term. Of course, we hope you’ll stick around — we’re constantly adding powerful new lessons, in-depth courses, and fresh training to keep your playing sharp, inspired, and moving forward.
Q: Who is this for? A: PRO is for musicians who want to build a real foundation, study deeply, and apply what they learn. It’s not for total beginners, but if you know basic scales, chords, and progressions, you’ll benefit whether you’re an experienced beginner, intermediate or advanced.
Q: Will this work for my level? A: Yes — as long as you’re not a complete beginner. If you’re just starting out but already know the basics, our Courses and Lessons will give you the structure and clarity to move forward faster. And if you’re intermediate or advanced, they will fill in the gaps, reframe what you already know, and push you further than you ever thought possible.
Q: Do I need to read music? A: No. You don’t need to be fluent in notation. A basic familiarity with major and minor scales is enough to start.
Q: I’m not a jazz musician. Will I still benefit? A: Absolutely. The ability to hear, understand, and use the language of music isn’t limited to jazz. Whether you play classical, rock, folk, or any other style, the skills you’ll build in PRO Lessons and Courses will make you a better musician.
Q: Which course should I start with? A: You can begin with any of the 5 PRO Courses — they’re designed to complement each other. If you’re unsure, start with the area where you feel weakest, or follow our suggested sequence on the site for a clear roadmap.
Q: Is there a money-back guarantee or refund if I don’t like it? A: No. We don’t offer refunds. Our lessons and courses are the result of years of work and require consistent effort. If you’re committed to improving and practicing, you’ll get enormous value from your purchase.
Q: Can I share my Membership, Course, or PRO Lessons? A: No. Access for all of these is licensed to the one person who purchases it. Sharing or redistributing any content is not allowed and will result in revoked access without refund.
Q: I’m a teacher. Can I use PRO content or Course content in the classroom? A: No. PRO memberships, Courses, and PRO Lessons (formerly Premium Lessons) are licensed for one user only. Please respect our copyrights and direct your students to purchase their own access.
Q: What instruments are PRO Lessons and Courses for? A: All instruments. Lessons and courses are designed to apply universally, because every musician needs these skills.
