2318 / 18210 · Workshop 3 — I–vi–ii–V: Turnarounds, Standards, and Making Four Chords Do a Lot← prev⊞ allnext →
3.97The larger lesson
A progression like I–vi–ii–V seems simple because there are only four chords.
But it contains:
- tonic prolongation
- circle motion
- guide-tone voice leading
- secondary-dominant opportunities
- substitutions
- modal/style possibilities
- endless melodic variation
Simple harmony can be a deep laboratory.