how does the progressions work I understand what they are but I don't understand how they work... I mean I can play a 2-5-1 progression in any key but what else do I do or just follow the number system...any tips...
progressions are just a way to get the harmony to support the melody
in any key if your melody sticks to the key you are in
the one chord will harmonize three notes
the five chord will harmonize two additional notes
and the four chord will harmonize the remaining two notes
so the one four five
chords will harmonize every note in a given melody providing it stays in key
you can replace the two chord for the four chord
so now we get the 2 5 1
you can expand the one chord
meaning if you are sitting on it for a while
you can play different bass notes under help create motion
that is where we get the 1 3 6 2 5 1
the 6 chord and the 3 chord fill in for the 1 chord
and the 7 fills in for the 5 chord
the 6 chord can also lead to the four chord
all this may seem confusing
but it all starts
with the one chord and the 5 chord
and the four
if you just use these three chords you can play with most songs
when you get more advance you can use the 2 5 1
as a little intro to each new chord you will play
so to introduce the one chord you play 2 5 and then 1
when you want to go to the four chord
you introduce it by
playing a 2 5 1 in the key of the 4 chord
so if you were in the key of
C and you want to go to the F
you introduce the F by playing g min7 C7
Fmaj
2 5 1
so now you have it 2 5 1 are derived from 4 5 1
and they have over time become embellishments
as well static chords to rest on to support the melody
I have Jamal Hartwell's Urban Extreme and it is indeed a very COMPLEX dvd set to say the least. It is definitely not for beginners. I also agree with you diverse on the fact that you have to be willing to stick to something in order to get results.
I didnt see it as complex
but hat is because I realized that a lot of what he was saying didnt make real sense
the chords were beautiful
but a lot of the terminology was incorrect
like the major chord on steroids was in reality a minor 11 chord not a major chord at all
and could not be used a s a major chord
the di tone was really an altered seventh chord
what I did was just watch and practice along with the dvd
from the beginning everytime I watched it until I was playing along with him note for note everything he did