Foundations Level 4: ii-V-I Progression Practice

I’m now in the “Major 2-5-1” course at Piano With Jonny. I’m still in Level 4 (Early Intermediate) when it comes to theory, though this isn’t my first time learning these progressions in all keys. But it's been a while since I’ve practiced them like this.

Lesson 1 focuses on root-position chords. It also includes the I6 alongside the IMaj7, which I think is a good addition. Here I am playing through the exercise once with the backing track:

I haven’t worked much with backing tracks in the past. They make me nervous to keep up with, particularly because of my deafness. It can be hard to distinguish my piano from the backing track, and once I get nervous, I can lose the beat.

But when I use the Altec Lansing Mini LifeJacket speaker, I can crank up the backing track volume. Then I can’t hear my own piano all that well, but that’s OK because I already know the keys.

Other Variations

The next lessons will cover the progression in various inversions, which is how I originally learned them. But I’m also planning to add my own variation: ii–V–I in stride.

I’ll either use octaves or rolled tenths in the bass. I’m not sure yet. It may depend on how masochistic I’m feeling that day.

I think the stride work will be particularly beneficial. The Ode to Joy arrangement I’m learning is full of stride ii–V–I progressions, and the more automatic those patterns become, the easier it will be to learn and develop new arrangements.

I’m happy to be starting a new PWJ course. I expect to stay with this one for a while because I want to know these progressions inside and out, in every key.

And then: minor ii–V–I progressions.

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