Anyone Can Improvise!


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...

Purchase options

This content is available as a separate, once-off purchase or as part of a subscription. Click "Buy" to purchase it or on "Subscription options" to get access to this content in addition to our growing library of over 300 articles for as little as £13.99 per month or £119.99 per year (Click here to sign-in to view this page if you are already a subscriber).

£9.99Buy More info Subscribe Back