Flute · Level 10 · Expert
A neo-soul chord loop in A♭ major on Flute
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Extended chords in a slow, looping progression give the floating sound of neo-soul. This is a test of voicing control and gentle timing.
D♭maj9
Notes: D♭ · F · A♭ · C · E♭
Cm7
Notes: C · E♭ · G · B♭
Fm9
Notes: F · A♭ · C · E♭ · G
B♭m9
Notes: B♭ · D♭ · F · A♭ · C
E♭13
Notes: E♭ · G · B♭ · D♭ · F · C
A♭maj9
Notes: A♭ · C · E♭ · G · B♭
HOW TO PRACTISE IT
Six steps to a clean loop.
- Play each chord as an arpeggio, one note at a time: D♭maj9, Cm7, Fm9, B♭m9, E♭13 and A♭maj9. Press play on the card, then match each note.
- Keep a steady air stream between notes; for the higher notes, aim the air a little higher instead of blowing harder.
- Set the tempo to 81 BPM and play the progression with one chord per bar. Play behind the beat with a light touch, and keep every voicing close to the last.
- Play the chord tones one at a time, one note per beat, tonguing each note lightly (“too”).
- Raise the tempo to 108 BPM once you can play the loop three times without stopping.
- Record one take, listen back and check for smooth, connected voicings with a clear top note.
Listen for
Aim for smooth, connected voicings with a clear top note. A common mistake is playing the chords too short or too loud.
Why it works
Starting on IV delays the arrival on I; the extensions blur the chord functions for a dreamy effect.
A♭ major has 4 flats; its relative minor key is F minor.
Questions
What are the chords in IVmaj9–iii7–vi9–ii9–V13 in A♭ major?
In A♭ major the progression is D♭maj9 | Cm7 | Fm9 | Fm9 | B♭m9 | E♭13 | A♭maj9 | A♭maj9.
What is the key signature of A♭ major?
A♭ major has 4 flats. Its relative minor is F minor.
Is this lesson right for my level?
This is a level 10 lesson (expert). If it feels too hard, start with “The jazz blues”.
Your hands learn faster than your eyes.
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