Jobim Wrote the Most Useful Chord Progression

Summary

The video examines a recurring harmonic idea in Antônio Carlos Jobim’s music by comparing the A sections of four songs: “Corcovado” (“Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars”), “Retrato em Branco e Preto,” “Wave,” and “How Insensitive.”

The pattern begins with a minor chord, moves to a diminished chord a semitone lower, and can lead into a major ii–V–I progression. The examples are transposed to the same key to make their shared starting point easier to hear. Although the songs use the idea in different ways and lead to different musical phrases, the underlying harmonic move remains recognizable.

The video presents this pattern as both a way to understand Jobim’s compositions and a practical tool for musicians. Recognizing it can help with learning the songs, developing chord voicings, and creating original progressions.

Suggested Practice Approach

• Compare the A sections of the four songs and listen for the shared harmonic starting point.
• Transpose the examples to the same key to make their similarities clearer.
• Practice different chord voicings over the progressions.
• Explore contrary motion between the parts or voices while playing through them.
• Apply the harmonic idea to original progressions as well as to Jobim’s songs.

Speakers and Musical Sources

• Video narrator and creator: Alex, also known as Froggy & Schroeder.
• “Corcovado” (“Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars”): Performance excerpt by Antônio Carlos Jobim and Frank Sinatra.
• “Retrato em Branco e Preto”: Performance excerpt by Ney Matogrosso and Raphael Rabello.
• “Wave”: Chord-voicing demonstration described in the subtitles as Schroeder practicing.
• “How Insensitive”: Performance excerpt by Antônio Carlos Jobim and Pat Metheny.