BookatlasPiano Rabbit Hole: Improvisation Theory & Practice
457 / 18210 · Module 11 — ii–V–I: The Core Progression of Jazz Harmony← prev⊞ allnext →

Homework for Module 11

Spend around 30 minutes.

A. Destination drill

Immediately answer:

  • Dm7-G7 → ?
  • Am7-D7 → ?
  • Gm7-C7 → ?
  • Cm7-F7 → ?
  • Em7-A7 → ?

Then play them.

B. Five keys

Practice ii–V–I in:

C, F, G, B♭, D

C, F, G, B♭, D

Use only shells first.

C. Guide tones

For each key, play only 3rd and 7th.

Hear the semitone/whole-step resolutions.

D. Add extensions

In C practice:

Dm9 → G13 → Cmaj9

Dm9 → G13 → Cmaj9

with:

LH: D → G → C

RH:

F-C-E → F-B-E → E-B-D

F-C-E → F-B-E → E-B-D

E. Major versus minor

Play:

Dm7-G7-Cmaj7

then:

Bm7♭5-E7-Am

Compare.

F. Improvisation

Loop:

Dm7 | G7 | Cmaj7 | Cmaj7

First use chord tones only.

Then add passing tones.

Always know which chord tone you're aiming for.

G. Chromatic approaches

Approach:

  • F over Dm7
  • B over G7
  • E over Cmaj7

from one semitone above or below.

H. Comping

Play the same ii–V–I using sparse syncopated chord attacks rather than one chord on every beat.

Record yourself.