Jazz Piano Run for C7 F7 G7

By Thomas Gunther

November 18, 2024

About this run

This is my favorite jazz piano run for a C7, F7, and G7 chord. It just feels great when played over those chords. It's one of those devices Oscar Peterson or Teddy Willson liked to play. It sounds very impressive but is actually quite easy to play at even very fast speeds.

See me using the lick in this short video

About playing it only with specific chords or keys

Jazz pianists all have their favorite runs with which they dazzle their audience. They prefer different runs in different keys. The reason for that is that what comes easy in one key might be very tricky in another. That's, of course, because of the asymmetrical layout of the keyboard.

For example, I prefer to play the run featured in this post with three chords only. Those chords are C7, F7, and G7.

Here is the run with fingering for all three chords

Building a repertory of runs for specific chords and keys

Building a repertory of great runs that work well in specific keys will ultimately be very rewarding. Of course, it is important to create rhythmic variations of those runs, combine them with other runs, or play only fragments of them to avoid sounding predictable. But that's a topic for a different post.

Please feel free to leave a comment

What do you think about this topic? Do you play your favorite runs in all keys or only in those they feel good in?

About the author

Thomas Gunther, also known as Thommy Günther in Germany, is a highly versatile jazz pianist, keyboardist, music producer, and educator with international recognition. He was born and raised in Germany, where he earned a Master’s Degree in Teaching and Performing Jazz and Popular Music from the State University of Music and Performing Arts Stuttgart.

After relocating to Chicago, Thomas quickly became the principal pianist for the Chicago Jazz Ensemble, which is directed by the esteemed music arranger and composer William Russo. In this role, he had the opportunity to collaborate with renowned artists such as Randy Brecker, Body DiFranco, Archie Shepp, Jon Faddis, Cassandra Wilson, and Orbert Davis.

Currently, Thomas is an integral part of the Chicago music scene, performing with various groups both as a sideman and as a leader. He heads the Thomas Gunther Trio Plus and has toured Germany with the Thomas Gunther’s Taste Of Chicago Band. In addition to his performance career, he has produced, arranged, and recorded a substantial body of work, serving both in leadership roles and as a collaborator.

Thomas also provides music arranging and orchestration services for ensembles of all sizes, including contributions to the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic. As an educator, he shares his expertise as an Adjunct Professor at Columbia College Chicago. For more information about Thomas, visit https://www.ThomasGunther.com.