Anyone Can Improvise!

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Improvising With Secondary Chords (2)

Chord ii and The Doo-wop Progression

The next chord progression arose directly from the 1950s progression, and has just one different chord: chord ii replaces chord IV. It is known as the Doo-wop progression. Play it with the root position chords shown below, noticing the different sound: Now try it in this lively, swing rhythm: Well-known songs using this progression include Santa Baby, the chorus from Sleigh Ride and many others. Because the 1950s and Doo-wop progressions are so similar, chord ii, both progressions and most of the songs can be played or sung simultaneously (Try this with friends. It’s...

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