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 · B♭m7 – E♭7 – A♭maj7

B♭m7 – E♭7 – A♭maj7
Notes, theory & MIDI →

Rootless Voicings — A Form

the Bill Evans school · B♭m9 – E♭13 – A♭maj9

B♭m9 – E♭13 – A♭maj9
Notes, theory & MIDI →

Rootless Voicings — B Form

the Bill Evans school · B♭m9 – E♭13 – A♭maj9

B♭m9 – E♭13 – A♭maj9
Notes, theory & MIDI →

Block Chords

the Red Garland school · B♭m7 – E♭13 – A♭maj9

B♭m7 – E♭13 – A♭maj9
Notes, theory & MIDI →

Quartal Voicings

the McCoy Tyner school · B♭m11 – E♭7sus – A♭6/9

B♭m11 – E♭7sus – A♭6/9
Notes, theory & MIDI →

The "So What" Voicing

Bill Evans, Kind of Blue · B♭m11 – E♭7sus(♯9) – A♭maj13

B♭m11 – E♭7sus(♯9) – A♭maj13
Notes, theory & MIDI →

Drop 2 Voicings

the big-band arranging tradition · B♭m9 – E♭13 – A♭maj9

B♭m9 – E♭13 – A♭maj9
Notes, theory & MIDI →

Stride Tenths

the Teddy Wilson school · B♭m9 – E♭9 – A♭maj9

B♭m9 – E♭9 – A♭maj9
Notes, theory & MIDI →

Upper-Structure Triads

the Herbie Hancock school · B♭m11 – E♭7(♯9♭13) – A♭maj9

B♭m11 – E♭7(♯9♭13) – A♭maj9
Notes, theory & MIDI →

Other keys