BookatlasPiano Rabbit Hole: Improvisation Theory & Practice
2240 / 18210 · Workshop 3 — I–vi–ii–V: Turnarounds, Standards, and Making Four Chords Do a Lot← prev⊞ allnext →

3.19Turnaround function

Why is this progression so useful at endings?

Because the tonic does not stay final.

Cmaj7 immediately becomes:

Am7 → Dm7 → G7

Am7 → Dm7 → G7

which reactivates motion.

So instead of:

“finished”

the tonic says:

“we’re home for one moment, then we go again.”

That is the essence of a turnaround.