There are a number of common chord progressions that are used over and over again in jazz. Learning and memorising these important progressions will allow you to quickly and easily navigate through most jazz standards. The most common chord progressions are the Major 251 and the Minor 251 – these chord progressions are the DNA of jazz.
Major 251 Progressions
The 251 progression is the most common progression in jazz music and is found in both major and minor keys. Start of by learning and memorising the major 251 progression using 3 note voicings:
3 note voicings are the most basic way to voice a major 251 progression and allow you to isolate voice leading (7ths dropping to become 3rds of the next chord).
Rootless 251 Progressions in all 12 Keys
Once you can comfortably play all 12 major 251 progressions using 3 note voicings, it’s time to move onto the rootless 251 progression. Rootless voicings create a much smoother sound whilst also keeping hand movement between chords to a minimum:
If you are playing with a bass player, you will be expected to use rootless voicings. Generally, the bass player will always have the root of the chord covered and so playing rootless voicings ensures that you ‘stay out of the bass players way’.
Rootless voicings are also useful in a solo piano context and are a good voicing choice to support soloing and improvisation in your right hand.
Minor 251 Progressions
Minor harmony is more complex than major harmony and so the minor 251 progression takes more time and patience to master. Alterations are added to dominant chords in a minor 251 progression which creates a greater sense of resolution to the 1 chord:
36251 Progressions
The 36251 progression is an extended 251 progression and occurs frequently in jazz standards and lead sheets.
Coming soon….
1625 Progressions
The 1625 progression is commonly used as a turnaround to bring you back to the head of a lead sheet.
Coming soon….
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