Funk, modal jazz, and Indian raga — how compelling music lives inside a single chord.
Editorial content for this topic is in progress. The interactive player and pattern data are live below.
Hear the pattern
Interactive player — try the progression in any of the 18 keys, switch modes, and adjust tempo to find the feel you want.
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
i7›Cm7
120 BPM
FunctionSee "About" below for harmonic role.
Soundits rooted, groove-first patience
Common in"So What" — Miles Davis · "Give It Up or Turnit a Loose" — James Brown · Ravi Shankar ragas
Famous"So What" — Miles Davis · "Give It Up or Turnit a Loose" — James Brown · Ravi Shankar ragas
The warm earth brown palette on this page is inspired by music-color synesthesia — one-chord vamps maps to warm earth brown, reflecting its rooted, groove-first patience.
About One-Chord Vamps
Funk, modal jazz, and Indian raga — how compelling music lives inside a single chord.
Variations
Variation
Another way the pattern shows up in real music.
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
I7›C7
100 BPM
Variation
Another way the pattern shows up in real music.
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
I›C
70 BPM
Famous songs & pieces
"So What" — Miles Davis
"Give It Up or Turnit a Loose" — James Brown
Ravi Shankar ragas
Frequently asked questions
What is a one-chord vamps progression?
Funk, modal jazz, and Indian raga — how compelling music lives inside a single chord.
How do I use this on the piano?
Start with the player above in C. Once the pattern is in your ear, transpose to the keys you actually play in. The Roman numerals stay the same; only the chord names change.