LJS 77: How to Navigate Major 1-6-2-5 Chord Progressions




Welcome to episode 77 of the LJS Podcast where today we are talking about an important chord progression, the Major 1-6-2-5. This is a chord progression that shows up all of the time in jazz repertoire and you will want to learn how to navigate it. You'll learn a helpful exercise and a few licks. Listen in!
Listen to episode 77




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Being familiar and knowing your I-vi-ii-V chord progressions is really important if you want to become a successful jazz improviser. This chord progression comes up time and time again in jazz repertoire.
A great example is rhythm changes tunes, such as Anthropology and Oleo. These songs have A sections that are essentially entirely I-vi-ii-V chord progressions.
In this episode, most of the examples are in Concert Bb.
What's a I-vi-ii-V in Bb?
Bbmaj7-G7-Cmin7-F7
Note: Often times, jazz musicians will change the minor 6 chord into a dominant 7 chord.
Arpeggio exercises
Starting on the root of the I chord:
Starting on the 5th of the I chord:
Licks as heard in this episode
Long I-VI-ii-V Lick

Short I-VI-ii-V Lick

The best thing that you can do to further practice this chord progression is to learn jazz language it. Listen to some of your favorite jazz artists playing over this progression and learn some lines. The more you learn the more discoveries you will make.
Have anything to add to today's show? Leave a comment below.



Om Podcasten

The LJS Podcast is the podcast where you get weekly jazz tips, interviews, stories and advice for becoming a better jazz musician! Hosting the show is the jazz musician behind learnjazzstandards.com, author, and entrepreneur Brent Vaartstra, who’s one goal is to answer any question about playing jazz music you may have. Jazz can be a challenging music to learn and play, but it doesn’t have to be so hard. Each episode features a specific musical challenge that jazz students may come across, where it is discussed and answered. Special jazz guests frequent the show, sharing their expertise on an array of different musical subject matter. Listeners are invited to call in with their jazz questions to the podcast hotline, where it could get answered on a future LJS Podcast episode. Join thousands of other listeners getting free jazz education every week!