One key, six sounds

ii–V–I in D Major

Six classic ways to voice the same three chords in D 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 · Em7 – A7 – Dmaj7

Em7 – A7 – Dmaj7
Notes, theory & MIDI →

Rootless Voicings — A Form

the Bill Evans school · Em9 – A13 – Dmaj9

Em9 – A13 – Dmaj9
Notes, theory & MIDI →

Rootless Voicings — B Form

the Bill Evans school · Em9 – A13 – Dmaj9

Em9 – A13 – Dmaj9
Notes, theory & MIDI →

Block Chords

the Red Garland school · Em7 – A13 – Dmaj9

Em7 – A13 – Dmaj9
Notes, theory & MIDI →

Quartal Voicings

the McCoy Tyner school · Em11 – A7sus – D6/9

Em11 – A7sus – D6/9
Notes, theory & MIDI →

The "So What" Voicing

Bill Evans, Kind of Blue · Em11 – A7sus(♯9) – Dmaj13

Em11 – A7sus(♯9) – Dmaj13
Notes, theory & MIDI →

Drop 2 Voicings

the big-band arranging tradition · Em9 – A13 – Dmaj9

Em9 – A13 – Dmaj9
Notes, theory & MIDI →

Stride Tenths

the Teddy Wilson school · Em9 – A9 – Dmaj9

Em9 – A9 – Dmaj9
Notes, theory & MIDI →

Upper-Structure Triads

the Herbie Hancock school · Em11 – A7(♯9♭13) – Dmaj9

Em11 – A7(♯9♭13) – Dmaj9
Notes, theory & MIDI →

Other keys