One key, six sounds

ii–V–I in C Major

Six classic ways to voice the same three chords in C 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 · Dm7 – G7 – Cmaj7

Dm7 – G7 – Cmaj7
Notes, theory & MIDI →

Rootless Voicings — A Form

the Bill Evans school · Dm9 – G13 – Cmaj9

Dm9 – G13 – Cmaj9
Notes, theory & MIDI →

Rootless Voicings — B Form

the Bill Evans school · Dm9 – G13 – Cmaj9

Dm9 – G13 – Cmaj9
Notes, theory & MIDI →

Block Chords

the Red Garland school · Dm7 – G13 – Cmaj9

Dm7 – G13 – Cmaj9
Notes, theory & MIDI →

Quartal Voicings

the McCoy Tyner school · Dm11 – G7sus – C6/9

Dm11 – G7sus – C6/9
Notes, theory & MIDI →

The "So What" Voicing

Bill Evans, Kind of Blue · Dm11 – G7sus(♯9) – Cmaj13

Dm11 – G7sus(♯9) – Cmaj13
Notes, theory & MIDI →

Drop 2 Voicings

the big-band arranging tradition · Dm9 – G13 – Cmaj9

Dm9 – G13 – Cmaj9
Notes, theory & MIDI →

Stride Tenths

the Teddy Wilson school · Dm9 – G9 – Cmaj9

Dm9 – G9 – Cmaj9
Notes, theory & MIDI →

Upper-Structure Triads

the Herbie Hancock school · Dm11 – G7(♯9♭13) – Cmaj9

Dm11 – G7(♯9♭13) – Cmaj9
Notes, theory & MIDI →

Other keys