Hi
Our Jazz Piano Skill this week focuses on a common progression. In fact, the progression I want to explore today is without question the most common (and most important) progression in all of jazz. Of course, I'm speaking of the renowned II-V-I progression. Why do jazz musicians stress the importance of mastering this progression conceptually, aurally, and physically? Because it represents the most common way chords move (progress) within songs - Circle of 5ths motion. In other words, by mastering the II-V-I progression (Circle of 5ths) in all 12 keys, you are essentially, learning thousands of tunes!
In today's video I am playing the II-V-I progression in the key of Eb major (Eb F G Ab Bb C D). So, our "II" chord is F minor (F-7), our "V" chord is Bb Dominant (Bb7), and our "I" chord is Eb Major (EbM7). You'll notice that I am playing the F-7 in root position, the Bb7 in 2nd inversion, and the EbM7 in root position. In doing so I am able to move from chord to chord with as little movement as possible. Pay careful attention to how the bottom two notes of the F-7 stay put while top two notes move downward to form the Bb7. Then the opposite happens when moving from the Bb7 to the EbM7 - the bottom two notes move downward while the the top two notes stay put.
Finally, once you you can play the II-V-I progression in Eb major with a nice and relaxed feel, take the time to learn the progression in the remaining 11 major keys.
Enjoy learning/mastering this classic progression and sound!
