Jazz Progression (Never-ending Circle)

[T-Block]

Here is a little jazz progression that I learned a few years ago, and I never used it until now, LOL.  I'll explain it at the end:

"Never-ending Jazz Progression"
Key (More than one)  LH/RH

Progression #1:

Eb / Gb-Bb-Db-F
F /
Gb /
G /
Ab / Gb-Bb-C-F
Bb /
B /
C /
C# / E-G#-B-D#
D# /
E /
F /
F# / E-G#-A#-D#
G# /
A /
A# /
B / D-F#-A-C#
C# /
D /
D# /
E /D-F#-G#-C#
F# /
G /
G# /
A / C-E-G-B
B /
C /
C# /
D / C-E-F#-B
E /
F /
Gb /
G / Bb-D-F-A
A /
Bb /
B /
C / Bb-D-E-A
D /
Eb /
E /
F / Ab-C-Eb-G
G /
Ab /
A /
Bb / Ab-C-D-G
C /
Db /
D /
(repeat)

Progression #2:

E / G-B-D-F#
F# /
G /
G# /
A / G-B-C#-F#
B /
C /
C# /
D / F-A-C-E
E /
F /
Gb /
G / F-A-B-E
A /
Bb /
B /
C / Eb-G-Bb-D
D /
Eb /
E /
F / Eb-G-A-D
G /
Ab /
A /
Bb / Db-F-Ab-C
C /
Db /
D /
Eb / Db-F-G-C
F /
Gb /
G /
G# / B-D#-F#-A#
A# /
B /
C /
C# / B-D#-F-A#
D# /
E /
F /
F# / A-C#-E-G#
G# /
A /
A# /
B / A-C#-D#-G#
C# /
D /
D# /
(repeat)


O.K., now let me explain what is going here using part of the 1st progression:

Eb / Gb-Bb-Db-F
F /
Gb /
G /

Here, we start off in the key of Gb with a Gb major 7th (GbM7) chord in the RH and an Eb in the LH.  Together, both hands form an Eb minor 9th (Ebm9) chord.  So, one could also argue that we are in the key of Eb minor.

Next, we hold that chord and start running the bass a whole step after the Eb.  Sort of like the second part of the basic shout pattern used in shouting music:

Ab / Gb-Bb-C-F
Bb /
B /
C /

Here, we are still in the same key as before, but the chord changes.  The 3rd note drops 1/2 step.  So, now we have a G major 7th w/a flat 5 (GM7 b5) in the RH and an Ab in the LH.  When we put both hands together, the chord becomes an *Ab 9th w/added 13th (Ab9 +13) chord.
*not really sure about the name, so theory experts u can correct me if i'm wrong

Next we do the same thing to the bass line as before, skip a whole note after the Ab.  This bass pattern continues throughout the entire progression:

C# / E-G#-B-D#
D# /
E /
F /
F# / E-G#-A#-D#
G# /
A /
A# /

Here, the key changes to E or C# minor and u do the same thing as u did in the key before.  It just keeps going and going until u right back where u started.  Neat huh?  The 2nd progression is the same as the first one, it just starts in another key.  Hope yall enjoy it, if u got questions just ask me.

[drums2keys]

t block when you coming to ny man. you have a lot of tools

[C-note jr.]

You are so very gifted how long did it take you to get as fluent as you are on the board

[T-Block]

You are so very gifted how long did it take you to get as fluent as you are on the board

I've been on da keys for 9 years and I'm still a work in progress man.  I'm not as fluent as I would like to be, but I'm decent in all keys for most songs.  That took about 3 years of hard practice.

[rayjohnson83]

I've been on da keys for 9 years and I'm still a work in progress man.  I'm not as fluent as I would like to be, but I'm decent in all keys for most songs.  That took about 3 years of hard practice.

Man, Im trying to be like you doc. T-Block is a BEAST!!!!

[fulltimeministry07]

t-block
i wana be as nasty as u r on keys
where to start???
tell me how u did it as precise as u can and i wana do it just as bad as u did

[musallio]

when asked by some keys fanatics @ church, one of our players said it took him 8 years to play like he does now..he is 23 & had successfully sold a few albums @ the age of 19, plays almost any style, in all the keys, but sad enough, he doesn't know a jot of theory

I know that wothout theory I wouldn't be anywhere where I am 2day...He's been playing 11years now, but i'm fast catching up thanx 2 many of U here, particularly T-Block's hard work.

My preaching 2 him:

Man, U have so much experience & are so good, just learn this simple theory & U'll unleash that lion in you & be of benefit 2 many local & aspirant musicians.

These guys never stop marvelling at what I play sometimes, thanx 2 LGM..

[darmin]

I need to get on yall level !!!!!!!!!!

[Wolfram]

I need to get on yall level !!!!!!!!!!

Theory is what seperates those that can play and those that PLAY.  The ability to decipher chordal harmonies in your mind ahead of time allows you to organize your progressions in such a manner as to ALWAYS sound like you know what your doing in any situation.

I have walked into several gigs where I got the phone call to play at 5 p.m. and was to be set up and ready to play by 7 p.m.  There is no time for rehearsing or working out things on paper.  You have to have better than average knowledge of music theory to pull of a gig like this.  You are at performance level with people you have never played with before and then all of a sudden the spotlight come on YOU and they say "let me hear some organ, or keys!!"  Now you are soloing over something you never played before.  Theory is your musical foundation.

I have found that learning the gospel style of playing was easier for me because of my theory training.  Hearing the chords and recognizing the intervals and scalular patterns that were being infused in the works were EXTREMELY helpful. 

One cannot survive by rote alone.  Playing by ear is a great tool.  One should hone it, however understanding what it is that you are actually playing is what seperates you from the ordinary.

[musallio]

When I grow up, I'll be like U wolfram

[Wolfram]

When I grow up, I'll be like U wolfram

Naw,

Aspire to be better...  I am still a baby when it comes to all that can be learned.  Everything I share here is merely a ripple in the ocean of possibilities...  If you can take something from it, I am glad that I could share.

W

[joshuag]

hey t-block, beyonce say hey lol!!!!

but seriously when would you use this progession as far as in songs or shout.. i know this question may sound crazy but i rather ask than not...

[T-Block]

hey t-block, beyonce say hey lol!!!!

but seriously when would you use this progession as far as in songs or shout.. i know this question may sound crazy but i rather ask than not...

Honestly, you can just play this as it's own little groove like during offering or something.  If you wanted to use it during a shout, it depends on what key you in.  Basically, it starts with 5 of your key.  So, if you were in Eb, go through the list and see which one starts with a Bb in the LH.  I spot it in the Progression #2 circle:

Progression #2:

E / G-B-D-F#
F# /
G /
G# /
A / G-B-C#-F#
B /
C /
C# /
D / F-A-C-E
E /
F /
Gb /
G / F-A-B-E
A /
Bb /
B /
C / Eb-G-Bb-D
D /
Eb /
E /
F / Eb-G-A-D
G /
Ab /
A /
Bb / Db-F-Ab-C   *Here's your starting point
C /
Db /
D /
Eb / Db-F-G-C
F /
Gb /
G /
G# / B-D#-F#-A#
A# /
B /
C /
C# / B-D#-F-A#
D# /
E /
F /
F# / A-C#-E-G#
G# /
A /
A# /
B / A-C#-D#-G#
C# /
D /
D# /
(repeat)

Just start at that chord and keep the circle going until u get back to where u started, then u can go back into your shout.  If you want, u can rewrite the circle starting with the Bb:

Progression #2 rewritten to start with Bb:

Bb / Db-F-Ab-C
C /
Db /
D /
Eb / Db-F-G-C
F /
Gb /
G /
G# / B-D#-F#-A#
A# /
B /
C /
C# / B-D#-F-A#
D# /
E /
F /
F# / A-C#-E-G#
G# /
A /
A# /
B / A-C#-D#-G#
C# /
D /
D# /
E / G-B-D-F#
F# /
G /
G# /
A / G-B-C#-F#
B /
C /
C# /
D / F-A-C-E
E /
F /
Gb /
G / F-A-B-E
A /
Bb /
B /
C / Eb-G-Bb-D
D /
Eb /
E /
F / Eb-G-A-D
G /
Ab /
A /
(repeat)

Or you could just do like the first 4 chords and make a circle out of that, then go back into your shout:

Bb / Db-F-Ab-C
C /
Db /
D /
Eb / Db-F-G-C
F /
Gb /
G /
Ab / Cb-Eb-Gb-Bb
Bb /
Cb /
C /
Db / Cb-Eb-F-Bb
G /
Ab /
A /
(repeat)

Does that make sense?

[T-Block]

Or you could just do like the first 4 chords and make a circle out of that, then go back into your shout:

Bb / Db-F-Ab-C
C /
Db /
D /
Eb / Db-F-G-C
F /
Gb /
G /
Ab / Cb-Eb-Gb-Bb
Bb /
Cb /
C /
Db / Cb-Eb-F-Bb
G /
Ab /
A /
(repeat)

In addition to this, u could change the last 4 bass notes and play it like this as well:

Bb / Db-F-Ab-C
C /
Db /
D /
Eb / Db-F-G-C
F /
Gb /
G /
Ab / Cb-Eb-Gb-Bb
Bb /
Cb /
C /
Db / Cb-Eb-F-Bb
Db /
C /
Cb /
(repeat)

[chevonee]

Honestly, you can just play this as it's own little groove like during offering or something.  If you wanted to use it during a shout, it depends on what key you in.  Basically, it starts with 5 of your key.  So, if you were in Eb, go through the list and see which one starts with a Bb in the LH.  I spot it in the Progression #2 circle:

Progression #2:

E / G-B-D-F#
F# /
G /
G# /
A / G-B-C#-F#
B /
C /
C# /
D / F-A-C-E
E /
F /
Gb /
G / F-A-B-E
A /
Bb /
B /
C / Eb-G-Bb-D
D /
Eb /
E /
F / Eb-G-A-D
G /
Ab /
A /
Bb / Db-F-Ab-C   *Here's your starting point
C /
Db /
D /
Eb / Db-F-G-C
F /
Gb /
G /
G# / B-D#-F#-A#
A# /
B /
C /
C# / B-D#-F-A#
D# /
E /
F /
F# / A-C#-E-G#
G# /
A /
A# /
B / A-C#-D#-G#
C# /
D /
D# /
(repeat)

Just start at that chord and keep the circle going until u get back to where u started, then u can go back into your shout.  If you want, u can rewrite the circle starting with the Bb:

Progression #2 rewritten to start with Bb:

Bb / Db-F-Ab-C
C /
Db /
D /
Eb / Db-F-G-C
F /
Gb /
G /
G# / B-D#-F#-A#
A# /
B /
C /
C# / B-D#-F-A#
D# /
E /
F /
F# / A-C#-E-G#
G# /
A /
A# /
B / A-C#-D#-G#
C# /
D /
D# /
E / G-B-D-F#
F# /
G /
G# /
A / G-B-C#-F#
B /
C /
C# /
D / F-A-C-E
E /
F /
Gb /
G / F-A-B-E
A /
Bb /
B /
C / Eb-G-Bb-D
D /
Eb /
E /
F / Eb-G-A-D
G /
Ab /
A /
(repeat)

Or you could just do like the first 4 chords and make a circle out of that, then go back into your shout:

Bb / Db-F-Ab-C
C /
Db /
D /
Eb / Db-F-G-C
F /
Gb /
G /
Ab / Cb-Eb-Gb-Bb
Bb /
Cb /
C /
Db / Cb-Eb-F-Bb
G /
Ab /
A /
(repeat)

Does that make sense?

This makes perfect sense to me. I was wondering what key this was in and how to determine it....you read my mind..lol Thanks so much for your help. God bless

[T-Block]

This makes perfect sense to me. I was wondering what key this was in and how to determine it....you read my mind..lol Thanks so much for your help. God bless

Just for clarity reasons, the key depends on where you start in the circle.  Also, you can end the circle at anytime in whatever key u want.  So, u can start in C and end up in the key of F#/Gb if u do it right, LOL.

[chevonee]

Just for clarity reasons, the key depends on where you start in the circle.  Also, you can end the circle at anytime in whatever key u want.  So, u can start in C and end up in the key of F#/Gb if u do it right, LOL.

Thank you so much T....God bless!!

[mellowone]

Thanks man i am just trying to pick up as much as i can i am not the geatest musician but i can learn alot from you guys thanks.