This is the most common
of all progressions. It is used to modulate to a different key or many
of them strung together can make a chord progression of an entire tune,
as in the Bop music of the 50's. Below is a mental exercise to help you
know the notes of the II-V in all keys.
Exercise 1:
The column at the left gives the pattern of the arpeggio. At the right
is the progression you are to outline with the given pattern. After learning
these, write some of your own.
This is merely an exercise to learn the notes and sounds like one. To
be free from this limitation, one must learn to create a smooth line,
which flows through all chord changes. In an intelligent melody line,
all the notes fit with the cord while the shape and direction of the
line are independent. The line should not start from the root every time
the chord changes. The line should be free to start and stop anywhere
in the changes. An unpredictable line is most interesting for the player
and listener.
Exercise 2:
First, become familiar with key signature of each II-V progression. Play
the notes below, observing what happens going from the last note of one
key to the first note of the next key. Next, play through the lowest
or highest note in the position. At that point, go in the opposite direction.
Make sure every note you play matches with the chords. A change in line
direction is determined by where you are on the neck, not by the bar
lines.
Now, do this on some tunes you normally play. Change the direction of
your line at will. Play musical sentences with pauses in between. Try
to start and end the line in different places in the changes.
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