Hello!

I have played guitar and sung for many years, and am pretty new to keyboard. I am working on getting fluent with left hand chords in all keys. At the moment I am working on switching vi-II-V-I changes to all keys. Am7 to Dm7 to G7 to C, for example.

Can any of y'all recommend some songs using these changes that will help me learn?

Douglas Wolfe

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"All the Things You Are"

Saving all my love for you - Whitney Houston

Satin Doll

"How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You" (James Taylor)has the ii/V/I pattern.
Eddie

Douglas,you will find IIm7 V7 I progressions in just about all music. Sometimes you will find V7 I, (G7 C)or V7 (G7 Cm)without the I chord, I normally treat them as IIm7 V7 I progression.

Example: I am playing a song in the key of C major. In that same song I see a section that is dealing with C7 and F, (V7 I in F major)I think of that part of the song as being in the key of F major. If I see Em7 A7 (IIm7 V7) without the I chord, I am now thinking the key of D major. Whenever I see a IIm7 V7 I or just IIm7 V7, I consider that a key change in the song. The color tone and key center changes telling me to
#1 improvise using a different scale.
#2 Think of the chords used in the new key even if the progression contimues one or two measures.

Putting color into a IIm7 V7 I progression.
Example:
Dm7//// G7//// C////original -- replace with:

Dm7//// Db7////Cmaj7//// IIm7 bII7 I

Dm7 ////G7//Db7// C6

Just using a bII7 chord can add so much.

Have a great day, John C.



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[This message has been edited by bruno123 (edited 01-17-2005).]

>>> BRUNO: ...you will find IIm7 V7 I progressions in just about all music. Sometimes you will find V7 I, (G7 C)or V7 (G7 Cm)without the I chord, I normally treat them as IIm7 V7 I progression. >>>>

Thanks to Bruno and to all who responded. Your advice is very helpful. I know something about what Bruno is describing. I have studied harmony and can work out the kinds of substitutions and scales that he is talking about - on paper. My challenge now is to develop the kind of fluency that piano players have, where you can handle these changes and subs and scales in real time. What I am requesting is songs that will help me with practicing.

I have been working on "Try a little tenderness" for the past few days. This song starts with a just-plain I-vi-ii-V-I progression. (Eb-Cm-Fm7-Bb). Then it goes into some very interesting substitutions that give this song its particular flavor. I have learned a lot by working through and developing my understanding of these changes. I can now work these changes in a couple different ways in real time. What I am requesting is this:

Can y'all suggest some other songs that will help me to practice these skills?

Douglas Wolfe

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[QUOTE]Originally posted by flatfoot:
Can any of y'all recommend some songs using these changes that will help me learn?

Douglas Wolfe

Hi Douglas,
I am going to step out ---- looking for songs that have many chord changes is not the way to go. Hmmmm! I'll go back to my teaching days.

#1- Find a very simple song with three chords -- I V7 IV in C major C G7 F, play it until you're comfortable, then
#2- Play that song in all the keys around the circle of fifths. C F Bb Eb Ab ECT--
#3- When you're comfortable with that, go to a song that has four to five chords and do the same thing.
#4- Now go to the songs that have all those great changes.

It is not as much fun doing it this way but it gives you a skill that you'll use in all music. It also helps transposing a song to different keys.

When I made my move from guitar to keyboard, I learned to play the IIm7 V7 I Dm7 G7 C chords with my left hand. While the left hand played the chords my right hand improvised on the C major scale.
Repeat for the key of F --- G --- Bb --- D --ECT --

The IV chord and the IIm7 chord are closely related, sometimes inter-changeable.

Enjoy the day, it's what we have, John C.


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Doug, in addition to the other great songs already mentioned, here's a favorite I-vi-ii-V7-I Bobby Darin tune which I particular like performing, as well as practicing in all keys (thru circle of 5ths):

Beyond The Sea

A1 Section
Key:F
|I-vi|ii-V7|I-vi|ii-V7|
|I-III7|vi-V7|I-vi|IV-VI7|
|ii-V7|I-vi|II7|V7|

A2 Section
|I-vi|ii-V7|I-vi|ii-V7|
|I-III7|vi-V7|I-vi|IV-VI7|
|ii-V7|I-vi|II7-V7|I-bI7|

BRIDGE
Key:A
|I-vi|ii-V7|I-vi|ii-V7|
|I-Imaj7|I6-KeyC:II7,V7|
|I-vi|ii-V7|I-vi|ii-V7|
F:
|ii-V7|

A3 Section
|I-vi|ii-V7|I-vi|ii-V7|
|I-III7|vi-V7|I-vi|IV-VI7|
|ii-V7|iv-IV|II7-V7|I|

Scott

I really admire you guys that play all in all the keys. Beyond The Sea is a great one but without the Trans button, I wander out of town. Body and Soul is another great ballad type that jumps keys. Without my favorite button, I never would have gotten it.

Eddie