Music Lesson: I, VI, II, V Sequences and Improvisation

As a precursor to our last piece, In a Sentimental Mood, I'd like to talk about I, VI, II, V sequences, which we've seen before. You may remember that in the key of B flat, for instance, we might have played them like this: shells.

Importance of Improvisation

It's really important to be able to improvise over something like that. You could simply use the scale of B flat, or you could:

• Play chords in the left hand
• Try different inversions

Notice I've left out the G minor chord this time, because basically, G minor 7 (the second chord or the sixth chord) is the same notes as B flat 6.

So, in fact, it's not really that much of a chord change to go from B flat major 7 to G minor 7, because that's also B flat 6. You could simplify it if you wish, and just play II V like this.

Demonstrating the Pentatonic Scale

I was trying to also demonstrate a pentatonic scale there. You'll notice that the V chord now is F13. This is the first time we've come across a 13th chord. This is because I've kept the D in from the C minor 9 and just moved one note.

Remember, with the II V, you usually only have to move one note. That automatically gives you this lovely F13 sound.

Transitioning to D Flat

Now we're going to be doing this not in B flat. In the next piece, it's going to be in D flat. This will be in the bridge of In a Sentimental Mood.

Before we proceed, check out the PDF, because this is a very common type of bridge. I've given you a list of tunes that have bridges based on the 1-6-2-5 sequence, sometimes in more than one key, and very often that indicates a modulation.

Recognizing Chord Sequences

When you go to the bridge, you're modulating into a different key. How do you know what key you've gone to? Well, that's part and parcel of recognizing the I VII V chord sequence.

• If it's diatonic:
  • The first chord will be major
  • The VI and the II will be minor
  • The V chord will be dominant

Preparation for the Bridge

To prepare for the bridge of Sentimental Mood, let's play the same chords, but in the key of D flat and the scale of D flat in the right hand. If I wanted to play chords, I could do them up here.

Listening with Bass

If we hear these with the bass, it might make more sense. Here are the chords we'll be playing:

• D flat 6
• 9
• B flat minor 9
• E flat minor 9
• A flat 9

We will be playing those in the stride style, like this.

I'm using a bit of sustained pedal there to cover the movement from the deep bass note, and then changing the pedal when I get to the new bass note just after.

You need to make sure those notes ring while you move your hand up.

Conclusion

Let's try that with the major scale. Great preparation for the bridge of In a Sentimental Mood!