One key, six sounds

ii–V–I in A Major

Six classic ways to voice the same three chords in A major — from two-note bebop shells to the "So What" voicing. Each links to notation, audio and a free MIDI file.

Shell Voicings

the Bud Powell school · Bm7 – E7 – Amaj7

Bm7 – E7 – Amaj7
Notes, theory & MIDI →

Rootless Voicings — A Form

the Bill Evans school · Bm9 – E13 – Amaj9

Bm9 – E13 – Amaj9
Notes, theory & MIDI →

Rootless Voicings — B Form

the Bill Evans school · Bm9 – E13 – Amaj9

Bm9 – E13 – Amaj9
Notes, theory & MIDI →

Block Chords

the Red Garland school · Bm7 – E13 – Amaj9

Bm7 – E13 – Amaj9
Notes, theory & MIDI →

Quartal Voicings

the McCoy Tyner school · Bm11 – E7sus – A6/9

Bm11 – E7sus – A6/9
Notes, theory & MIDI →

The "So What" Voicing

Bill Evans, Kind of Blue · Bm11 – E7sus(♯9) – Amaj13

Bm11 – E7sus(♯9) – Amaj13
Notes, theory & MIDI →

Drop 2 Voicings

the big-band arranging tradition · Bm9 – E13 – Amaj9

Bm9 – E13 – Amaj9
Notes, theory & MIDI →

Stride Tenths

the Teddy Wilson school · Bm9 – E9 – Amaj9

Bm9 – E9 – Amaj9
Notes, theory & MIDI →

Upper-Structure Triads

the Herbie Hancock school · Bm11 – E7(♯9♭13) – Amaj9

Bm11 – E7(♯9♭13) – Amaj9
Notes, theory & MIDI →

Other keys