Piano Lesson-II-V-I Progressions In C Major
What is a progression?
A progression is a set of chords played consecutively. Generally, successive chords in a chord progression share some notes, which provides harmonic and linear continuity to a passage.
What is a II-V-I progression?
Is is a chord progression with three chords built on the roots of the second, fifth and first note of a key.
The three roman numerals correspond to the digits 2, 5 and 1. In it's most basic form the numbers indicate the root of a triad. For example, the roman number I in C-major means a triad built from the note C. This triad consists of the notes C, E and G.
The Roman numeral II in the key of C-major tells you to play a triad built from the notes in the C-major scale beginning with the second note. The notes will be D, F and A.
The Roman numeral V indicates a triad built from the fifth step on the C-scale. The fifth note in the C-scale is G so the triad will include the notes G, B and D.
Piano tab notation
In order to demonstrate the chords I will use a notation suitable for articles sites. First we will look at the middle C. The note C on the middle of the piano keyboard, sometimes near the key hole of some pianos is called C4.
The number 4 indicates that it is the C on the fourth octave of the piano. Of course, there are piano keyboards with less keys and less octaves. In this case you have to think of C4 as middle C and nothing else.
Our first piano chord progression
We will start out by playing a progression with the triad chords built on the second, fifth and the first note of the C scale.
LH: D3 RH: D4 F4 A4 (Dm)
LH: G3 RH: G4 B4 D5 (G major)
LH: C3 RH: C4 E4 G4 (C major)
As you might guess LH means left hand and in the Dm chord D3 indicates that you play the note D3 on your piano or keyboard with your left hand at the same time as you play the right hand notes.
This II-V-I progression in C major is a little bit clumsy. You have to move your fingers a little to much in order to play the chords. We will adjust the G major chord a bit and play the progression in the following manner:
LH: D3 RH: D4 F4 A4 (Dm)
LH: G3 RH: B3 D4 G4 (G major)
LH: C3 RH: C4 E4 G4 (C major)
To make smooth transitions between the piano chords in the II-V-I progression you can change the chords even more. Let's change the Dm chord to Dm11 and G major to G7.
LH: D3 RH: C4 F4 G4 (Dm11)
LH: G3 RH: B3 F4 G4 (G7)
LH: C3 RH: C4 E4 G4 (C major)
We might as well change the C major chord to Cmaj7 in order to make the changes smoother.
LH: D3 RH: C4 F4 G4 (Dm11)
LH: G3 RH: B3 F4 G4 (G7)
LH: C3 RH: B3 E4 G4 (Cmaj7)
Finally we will introduce a substitute chord for G. Actually a so called tritone substitution.
This means that instead of a G chord we will use a chord with the root a tritone interval from G, that is three whole steps. Instead of G we will play Db+11.
LH: D3 RH: C4 F4 G4 (Dm11)
LH: Db3 RH: B3 F4 G4 (Db+11)
LH: C3 RH: B3 E4 G4 (Cmaj7)
This will make the chord changes even smoother, especially the bass notes, and maybe more interesting. You can use this formula, which in the key of C means to play Dm, G7 and C, to find many interesting variations on this theme.
It will be a great help for you in piano improvisation to have a working knowledge of the II-V-I progression with variations in different keys because this progression is used in a wide variety of music genres.
Related Tags: music, chords, piano, lesson, lessons, improvisation, pgrogressions, ii-v-i, learn to play, chord
Peter Edvinsson is a musician, composer and music teacher. Visit his site Capotasto Music and download your free piano sheet music and learn to play resources at http://www.capotastomusic.com
Your Article Search Directory : Find in ArticlesRecent articles in this category:
- Five Brilliant Tips For Learning To Play Acoustic Guitar
These little guitar lessons have been put together for the newbie acoustic guitar scholar who feels - Acoustic Guitar Instruction For Up-and-coming Guitarists
These little guitar lessons have been put together for the beginner acoustic guitar scholar who feel - Which Are The Best Guitar Lessons?
There are many music lovers in world and many like listening to music. Some music lovers take the ne - Piano Bench Buying - Three Purchasing Tips
Before purchasing a piano bench it's in your best interests to consider the model and style and how - Sade Tickets Soldier Of Love Tour
Soon enough the sector may don't have any drawback in correctly saying her name. Born Helen Folasade - 5 Ways To Learn To Play The Guitar
Proud owner of a new guitar! What now? How do you learn how to play? It used to be a friend taught y - How Gucci Mane Mixtapes Helped Establish A Star
Most people have never heard of Radric Davis, but almost everyone knows him by his rapper alias, Guc - The Double Piano Bench - A Buyers Guide
The adjustable double piano bench has dual adjustable seating, allowing each player to adjust to the - Recording Studio
A recording studio is a facility for sound recording and mixing. Ideally, the space is specifically - Jbl Car Speaker
Among the most famous car speaker brands JBL car speaker are then popular in that which is especiall
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Hotmp3download.com Review
After having a chance to take a look at the site from several different angles, I decided to post th - The Complete Definition Of The Music
Music PortalMusic is a form of art that involves organized and audible sounds and silence. It is nor - The Blues Scale & Cool Stuff You Can Do With It
Most of us who took piano lessons as kids are all too familiar with scales, and most of us hated pra - Your Playing the Guitar All Wrong!
Each time you pick up the guitar it should be an enjoyable experience, if you are frustrated you are - Trendy Music
Music forms as an amazing remedy to get of this stress in life. Music is the only language which is - Can You Still Find A Gem In The LA Music Scene?
At the Whisky a Go Go, Saturday, January 6, 2007, the opening band was Vekstar (Can hear them on my - Keyboard Bags
Keyboard Bags - Anybody who buys his/her first keyboard generally buys a stand and a keyboard bag al - Guitar Strings - Are Coated Strings Right For You
When it's time to change guitar strings you're faced with a dizzying array of makes and types. One - Piano Chords: How Many Are There?
An interesting experiment is to ask people how many chords there are in music. You'll be surprised t - Rediscovering Radio With Satellite
It's been many generations now since radio was born. A crackling signal carrying serial dramas and c