Take the Express Train - The Turnaround
With
Ollie WestonOllie Weston introduces the turnaround, the I-VI-II-V move that creates momentum at the end of an A section, demonstrated over his tune 'Take the Express Train'.
What's in the course
47 lessons (1h 47m) · 1 free
01. The V-I 'Perfect' cadence
3:28
02. Dominant 7 - Cycle of 5ths exercise
1:24
03. Dominant 7 - Cycle of 5ths using 3rs and 7ths
2:16
04. Rhythmic variations using 3rds and 7ths
2:02
05. "Rhythm Changes" using Dominant 7ths and Cycle of 5ths
1:08
06. The II-V-I progression
1:20
07. II-V-I licks in the style of Parker, Coltrane, Adderley
Free lesson4:15
08. Dancing With Duke (II-V-I exercise) - Introduction
1:15
09. Dancing With Duke (II-V-I exercise) - Performance
4:38
10. II-V-I progression conclusion
0:42
01. Finding the relative minor
1:41
02. Using the Harmonic Minor over the V chord
1:15
03. V-I in A Minor with a b9
4:38
04. Minor V-I in all 12 keys exercise
1:43
05. Phrase for practising minor cadences
1:17
06. Minor II-V-I in a chord sequence
5:04
07. Adding the II chord
1:20
08. Autumn Sun - Introduction and Harmony
3:03
09. Autumn Sun Performance
4:44
01. Introduction to Standards
0:52
02. Among the Stars Introduction
3:54
03. Among the Stars Performance
4:23
04. Undying Love - Expanding a chord sequence
4:42
05. Undying Love - Performance
1:12
06. Undying love - Checkpoint
0:47
07. Take the Express Train - The Turnaround
You are here3:21
08. Melodic line examples for turnarounds
1:22
09. Take the Express Train - Introduction
1:28
10. Take the Express Train - Performance
1:12
11. Take The Express Train - Summary
0:39
01. Introduction to Bebop
1:04
02. 52nd Street Blues - Introduction and Head
0:29
03. 52nd Street Blues - Head using I-IV-V progression
0:45
04. 52nd Street Blues - Adding Chromaticism
2:53
05. Adding Jazz Harmony to the Blues
2:39
06. 52nd Street Blues - Head with II-V-I changes
1:05
07. 52nd Street Blues - Performance
3:01
Lesson transcript
Lesson: Introducing Turnarounds
In this lesson, I'm going to introduce you to the turnaround, which is another way to expand your chord sequence and to create momentum in an otherwise static section of music.
What is a Turnaround?
- Turnarounds usually happen at the end of an A section in a tune.
- They help to transition back to the main part of the song.
Listening Exercise
I'm going to play you two versions of a song called Take the Express Train, inspired by Duke Ellington's Take the A Train.
Listen for the Turnaround
- Just have a listen to what happens in the last two bars when the melody resolves and the chord has two bars to get back to the A section.
First Version:
1, 2, 1, 2, 3, 4.
Second Version (with a turnaround at the end of the first section):
1, 2, 1, 3.
Observations
If you listen to what the rhythm section is doing, particularly the bass, in those last two bars:
- Instead of sitting on my I chord on A, the bass player is playing what we call a turnaround.
Notes Played
The notes are:
- 1, 6, 2, 5, and then back to 1.
A bass player, instead of playing two notes on each, might join them up in a walking style.
This creates momentum in the chord sequence and gives the illusion of movement without any essential digression from the main key.
Key Points
- We start in A and we end in A.
- There are two variations on a turnaround:
- I VI 2, 5 (the first one I played).
- Starts on 3 (a subtle difference).
Practicing Turnarounds
You might hear from the bass player.
- You could practice these turnarounds to get used to sounding like a bass player.
- It's a great exercise to sit and listen to what the other instruments in your band are doing, as well as opening up your ears to these turnarounds.
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Meet your guru
Meet your guru
Since graduating from the Leeds College of Music (BA Hons) and the Guildhall School of Music (Post Graduate Diploma in Performance), Ollie has built a busy and varied career in music. As a saxophonist he has performed in live and studio settings with artists as diverse as Amy Winehouse, Tim Minchin, Bonobo, Frank Turner, the London Jazz Orchestra, the Hackney Colliery Band, the Ambient Jazz Ensemble and the Nelson Riddle Orchestra. He is also the co-leader of the jazz quartet 'Time Is Of The Essence', and composes and arranges material for this and other ensembles.
Ollie is active in music education, currently as course leader for the jazz department at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama (junior school), where he runs jazz ensembles, big band and theory classes. He has written a series of 'Exploring Jazz' books for Schott Music that are published worldwide and feature on exam syllabuses in the UK. Ollie has also run workshops for Oxford University, Pro Corda Strings and BABSWE, as well as the Guildhall School of Music summer schools.
In his Exploring Jazz Saxophone courses, Ollie takes you from getting started right through to soloing confidently over songs and chord sequences, building the improvising skills that put a real jazz player's vocabulary at your fingertips.
