BookatlasPiano Rabbit Hole: Improvisation Theory & Practice
343 / 18210 · Module 9 — Voice Leading and Chord Voicings← prev⊞ allnext →

9.48Your practical workflow for any progression

Given chord symbols:

Am7 | D7 | Gmaj7 | Cmaj7

Do not immediately play root-position 7th chords.

Instead:

  1. identify bass roots
  2. find 3rd and 7th
  3. keep common tones
  4. move voices minimally
  5. put melody on top
  6. add 9ths/other color only if space allows

That workflow scales from simple pop to jazz.