6: 1 - I-VI-II-V Progression

NOTE! This chart was created with Power Tab. A known issue with Power Tab is occasional incorrect labeling of accidentals in standard
notation. The notes are the correct pitch, but sharps and flats may be incorrectly labeled (ex. a D# may be labeled Eb).

This should be a familiar sounding bass line for you

VV VV VV VV VV VV egVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVeggVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV VV VV VV VV VV VV
1
I 68 gW eW g VV VV VV VV VV VV e VV VV VV VV VV VV e V V V V V V egVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV
g
eW gW
Gtr I Most Doo-wop and Motown music has this kind of sound

T 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 7 7 7 7 7 7 6 6 6 6 6 6
A 5 5 5 5 5 5 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 7 7 7 7 7 7
6 6 6 6 6 6 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 6 6 6 6 6 6
B 4
6
6
4
4 4 4 4 4 4 8
6
8
6
8
6
8
6
8
6
8
6
6 6 6 6 6 6 8
6
8
6
8
6
8
6
8
6
8
6

` ``
Here are the common voicings that will be used in this tune
D maj7 B 7 9+5 `
E m7 ` `
A 13 9

WW ge WWW ege WWW ee WW

9
I e WW
e gW
eW e e WW gWW
eW
7 6 5
T 6 7 7 6
A 5 7 6 5
6 6 8 4
B 4
6
6
4
By experimenting with voicings, you can create some nice comping ideas

` ``
Notice how the top note moves down chromatically to create a kind of ascending melody line
` ` `
WW ge WWW
D maj7 B 7 9+5 E m7 A 13 9

ege WWW ee WW
13
I e WW
e gW eW gWW
8 7 6 5
T 6 7 7 6
A 6 7 6 5
6 6 4
B 6

` `` ` ` ` ` ` ` `` ` ` `
Here is an example of comping in rhythm with this voicing

c
D maj7 B 7 9+5 E m7 A 13 9 D maj7 B 13 9 B 7 9+5 E m7 A 13 9

VV ge VV VV ege VVV VVV j ee VV VVV e VV VV e VVV j e VV gVV VV ege VVV j VVV eef VVV WW
17
Ie e VV j j gf VV VV j
eg VV VV gVV V k e e VVV VV V
Vu gVV VV VV eV V kg V
WW
u u u u u
8 7 (7) 6 6 5 4 4 8 7 6 6 5 (5)
T 6 7 (7) 7 7 6 6 6 6 8 7 7 7 6 (6)
A 6 7 (7) 6 6 5 5 5 6 7 6 6 5 (5)
6 6 (6) 6 6 4 6 6 6 6 4 (4)
B 6 6 4 4 6 6
 6: 1 - I-VI-II-V Progression

Great voice leading example.

The bottom will move down nicely to the
C note which is the 3rd of Ab7
Experiment with other voicings. Here are a few examples of Em9 is a great voicing for an Ebm7
`
Dbmaj7 voicings to get you started.
D maj7 `
D add9 `
D maj7add6add9 E m9` ` ` `
Emadd9 E m E m/maj7 E m7

W gf e VVV e e VVV VVV gVVV

W e We WW e ee WWW W
25
I e e WWWW e WW e egWWW
Cluster chord
Notice the close notes Cluster chord
1 4 8 6 6 6 6
T 1 6 9 6 7 7 7 7
A 1 8 8 6 10 8 7 6
3 8 4
B 4 8
9
6

This voicing puts the b9 at the bottom of the chord and

` `
this shape functions similar to the diminished shape.

W
A 13 9

e e WWWW egWWW
Move this shape up or down in minor 3rds and it still functions as an altered Ab7 chord
eW
30
I ee WWW eeg WWWW

4 7 10 1
T 6 9 12 3
A 5 8 11 2
7 10 13 4
B