Bossa nova is one of the most beautiful and sophisticated styles of music, blending Brazilian rhythms with jazz harmony. The chords are rich, the rhythms are hypnotic, and the feel is effortlessly cool. Here’s your complete guide to bossa nova chords.
The Bossa Nova Sound
Bossa nova emerged in late-1950s Brazil, pioneered by João Gilberto, Antonio Carlos Jobim, and others. It combines samba rhythms with jazz chord voicings, played with a gentle, intimate touch.
The key elements are:
– Extended chords (7ths, 9ths, 6ths)
– The bossa nova rhythm pattern
– Smooth voice leading between chords
– Nylon-string guitar fingerpicking
Essential Bossa Nova Chord Voicings (Guitar)
Bossa nova rarely uses basic open chords. Here are the essential voicings:
Major 7th Voicings
Cmaj7: X-3-2-0-0-0. The foundation of bossa nova guitar.
Fmaj7: X-X-3-2-1-0. Compact and smooth.
Gmaj7: 3-X-0-0-0-2. Root on the 6th string.
Dominant 7th Voicings
G7: 3-X-3-4-3-X. A classic bossa voicing.
A7: X-0-2-0-2-0. Open A7 works beautifully.
D7: X-X-0-2-1-2. Compact and easy to transition from.
Minor 7th Voicings
Am7: X-0-2-0-1-0. Open and resonant.
Dm7: X-X-0-2-1-1. A staple of bossa nova.
Em7: 0-2-0-0-0-0. The simplest chord.
Diminished and Altered Chords
Bdim7: X-2-3-1-3-X. Essential for chromatic movement.
G7(b13): 3-X-3-4-4-X. Adds beautiful tension before resolving.
Bossa Nova Chords on Piano
Piano bossa nova typically uses:
– Left hand: Root and 5th (or root and 7th) in a rhythmic pattern
– Right hand: Chord voicings with extensions (9ths, 6ths)
Cmaj9: Left: C-G, Right: B-D-E
Dm9: Left: D-A, Right: C-E-F
G13: Left: G-F, Right: B-D-E
The Bossa Nova Rhythm Pattern
The signature bossa nova rhythm on guitar is a syncopated fingerpicking pattern. The thumb plays bass notes on beats 1 and the “and” of 2, while fingers pluck the chord on the offbeats.
The basic pattern (in 4/4):
Thumb: Beat 1, and-of-2
Fingers: And-of-1, beat 2, and-of-3, beat 4
This creates the signature “heartbeat” pulse of bossa nova.
Essential Bossa Nova Progressions
The ii-V-I
Dm7 – G7 – Cmaj7. The backbone of jazz and bossa nova harmony. Practice this in every key.
The Girl from Ipanema Changes
Fmaj7 – G7 – Gm7 – Gb7. The most famous bossa nova progression.
Desafinado Changes
Fmaj7 – G7 – Gm7 – C7 – Fmaj7. Slightly Altered harmony that defines the genre.
Classic Bossa Nova Songs to Learn
– The Girl from Ipanema (Jobim) — The quintessential bossa nova
– Corcovado (Quiet Nights) — Beautiful chord melody
– Desafinado — Chromatic passing chords
– One Note Samba — Fun melody over moving harmony
– Wave — Gorgeous chord progression
– Mas Que Nada — More energetic samba-bossa