Jazz Turnarounds

 

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Jazz turnarounds


Turnarounds are anchored in the root/bass motion, as usual. If the root motion remains correct, then the turnarounds fall naturally in place. Chromatic root motion is one of the basic ways to build your turnarounds, and voice-leading takes care of the rest. Chords (1),(2),(3),(4),(5) - the 5th chord is the resolution - form a classic C6 turnaround in the key of C. Notice how the bass forms a chromatic run - E,Eb,D,Db,C. Chords (6),(7),(8),(9) will transition into a G7 (V) chord in the middle of the song, resolving to C chord (10). Again, notice the chromatic bass motion.
1_______________________________________________________________
2_______________________________________________________________
3____7_________5(7________________________________2____0_________
4________10_________8(7___7________5___4R___3(7___2____0(4_______
5____7_________5__________________________________2____0_________
6________10(6_______8(6___7________5(6_4(6__3(6___2(6__0_________
7________________________________________________________________
8____7_________5_________________________________________________
9________10_________8_____7________5___4____3_____2______________
10_____________________________________________________0_________

    (1)  (2)  (3)  (4)  (5)       (6)  (7) (8)   (9)  (10)
    Em7  Eb7 Dm11  Db7  Cmaj7     Bb7  A11 Ab7   G9   Cmaj7
                  (#11)                   (#11)