Impressions Backing Track & Chord Chart — Practice Modal Jazz with Confidence
Are you working on modal jazz? This particular piece, Impressions, as written and performed by John Coltrane, is a great place to start learning modal jazz.
Here you will find a new backing track and chord chart for Impressions, designed to help you build confidence, clarity, and fuency in your improvisation journey. Whether you are new to jazz, or have been playing for decades, these resources provide a clear, supportive environment to practice modal jazz.
What is Modal Jazz?
Modal jazz began as a subset of the jazz genre in the 1960s, as a style that rebelled against the bebop era of the 1940s. Instead of following the rules of bebop, John Coltrane built upon bebop to express his signature “wall of sound” for pure emotional expression through improvisation. By creating a tune with just two chords, Coltrane created a masterpiece that encouraged creative harmonic reharmonizations and melodic experimentation.
What is Impressions?
First, I’d like you to listen to the definitive recordings of this tune, which is on Coltrane’s Impressions album released by Impulse in 1963. Coltrane actually recorded this version live at the Village Vanguard in 1961, and then released it along with other studio recordings in 1963. The tune features McCoy Tyner on piano, Jimmy Garrison on bass, and Elvin Jones on the drums. Coltrane’s solo spanned almost 15 minutes in this tune, which is typically played at a high tempo. What moods do you hear in his playing when you listen to the recording?
About the Impressions Chord Progresssion
The form of this tune is 32 Bar AABA Structure:
A sections: Dm11 (measures 1 - 16)
B section: Ebm11 (measures 17 - 24)
Final A: Back to Dm11 (measures 25 - 32)
What are the notes in a Minor 11 chord? I get this question a lot from students because of the confusion around 11 chords versus sus chords. I have a video on this, and I teach students to think of it as “above the line and below the line.” The “line” is the 7th, and the 11th is an extension, not a substitution, because it is greater than 7. In this case, because the 11 is greater than 7, the line, you will play all the normal notes in a minor 7 chord PLUS:
the 9th can be included optionally
the 11th is required.
For example, the notes in the Dm11 chord are D, F, A, C, E, G. The notes in the Ebm11 are Eb, Gb, Bb, Db, F, Ab. By adding the 11th on the top, it creates a sound of instability and tension. The chord progression doesn’t adhere to the typical cycle of fourths motion, which was prevalent up till this point in jazz harmonic history.
Why did he use a minor 11 chord instead of a sus chord? Because he wanted to keep the minor 3rd. The chord has the minor 3rd as well as the fourth, up an octave. This b9 interval between the 3rd (E) and the 11th (F) is what creates the tension, and also opens the song up for interpretation.
Take this as a lesson of what you can do if you want to add an extension to the minor chord that creates instability - perhaps consider a minor 11 chord.
Here are some ideas of what to practice over this tune:
Minor pentatonics over the Dm and Ebm chords
Minor Pentatonic Exercise over Dm and Ebm chords
Practice side slipping over the A section (repeat an idea up a half step then back down over the Dm section, before you get to the bridge)
Practice the Dm Dorian and Eb Dorian
Practice a lick such as Cry Me a River, the Minor Walk Up, or Honeysuckle Woes, all found in my 10 Licks eBook
Work on time feel, sound, and melodic shape
Use this song to work on your stamina
Work on deep practice, not just proper not collections
Want to work on your improvisation over this tune? Perhaps consider the Jazz Improv Institute membership, where you receive Daily Licks with audio coaching and feedback.
What’s included:
🎶 Backing Track for Impressions
Steady, authentic swing feel
Clear form so you always know where you are
Designed for extended solo practice
Ideal for horns, rhythm section players, and vocalists
📄 Chord Chart for Impressions
Clean, easy-to-read layout
Perfect for practice, teaching, or rehearsal reference
Together, these tools let you practice improvisation intentionally, without guessing or relying on cluttered charts.
Who This Resource Is For
This Impressions backing track and chord chart is ideal for:
Jazz students learning modal improvisation
Adult musicians returning to jazz
Educators teaching modal concepts
Classical musicians transitioning into jazz
Anyone who wants to sound more intentional and musical when soloing
Download the Impressions Backing Track & Chord Chart
If Impressions has ever felt intimidating or repetitive, this resource will help you play with purpose.
👉 Download the backing track and chord chart
👉 Use it as part of your daily or weekly practice routine
👉 Pair it with transcription, long tones, or motivic exercises
Modal jazz rewards patience — and the right practice environment makes all the difference.
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