Banjo · Level 5 · Intermediate

The I–vi–ii–V turnaround in B♭ major on Banjo

Don’t just read about The I–vi–ii–V turnaround in B♭ major. Play it.

Create a free TempoJam account in 30 seconds. Then try the tuner, metronome and Jam Room free for 14 days and record your first take tonight.

Start freeI teach musicFree account. No card needed to join.
THE SHORT ANSWER

The turnaround circles through four chords, two beats each, to lead back to the start of a tune. It trains faster chord changes inside a bar.

B♭maj7

B♭ major seventh

Notes: B♭ · D · F · A

6fr×gDGBD♭

Gm7

G minor seventh

Notes: G · B♭ · D · F

gDGBD♭

Cm7

C minor seventh

Notes: C · E♭ · G · B♭

gDGBD♭♭

F7

F dominant seventh

Notes: F · A · C · E♭

×gDGBD♭
1
B♭maj7Gm7
2
Cm7F7
3
B♭maj7Gm7
4
Cm7F7

HOW TO PRACTISE IT

Six steps to a clean loop.

  1. Play each chord on its own: B♭maj7, Gm7, Cm7 and F7. Press play on the chord card, then match the sound.
  2. The short fifth string (g) is only played open; let it ring when it fits the chord.
  3. Set the tempo to 60 BPM and play the progression with one chord per bar. Change on beats one and three; keep the hands moving on beat four.
  4. Pinch the bass and top strings on beat one, then roll thumb–index–middle through the other strings.
  5. Raise the tempo to 80 BPM once you can play the loop three times without stopping.
  6. Record one take, listen back and check for two even chord changes per bar.

Listen for

Aim for two even chord changes per bar. A common mistake is letting the second chord in the bar arrive late.

Why it works

Each root falls a fifth (or rises a fourth) to the next — the circle of fifths in miniature.

B♭ major has 2 flats; its relative minor key is G minor.

Questions

What are the chords in Imaj7–vi7–ii7–V7 in B♭ major?

In B♭ major the progression is B♭maj7 Gm7 | Cm7 F7 | B♭maj7 Gm7 | Cm7 F7.

What is the key signature of B♭ major?

B♭ major has 2 flats. Its relative minor is G minor.

Is this lesson right for my level?

This is a level 5 lesson (intermediate). If it feels too hard, start with “A descending bass line”.

Your hands learn faster than your eyes.

Reading a chord chart is step one. Play it to a metronome, record it, and hear yourself get better, all in one app.

Start practising free

The same lesson in other keys

On another instrument

Ready to play it for real?

Free account. No card needed to join.