Bossa nova ii-V-I progression on cavaquinho
What is the Bossa nova ii-V-I progression?
The Bossa nova ii-V-I progression is DmDmDmDm, G and C (ii–V–I), in the key of C major. Read as harmonic function it moves subdominant → dominant → tonic, arriving home on a cadence. With sevenths, common in this repertoire, the same path becomes Dm7Dm7Dm7Dm7, G7G7G7G7 and Cmaj7Cmaj7Cmaj7Cmaj7: there is no single required version. Play one chord per bar and let it loop.
Play any song you love and it does this: leaves home, takes a walk, and at the right moment somebody yells "come back!". This progression is that route, road sign by road sign: Dm (ii, the stroll) → G (V, time to come back) → C (I, home). Hit play and follow with your finger on the names — when you reach the chord marked "time to come back", notice your own body waiting for C — the home chord.
Cavaquinho
The cavaquinho is a small, bright four-string with no low bass, so it fills the upper-middle range and leaves the deep notes to others. This is the cavaquinho's true home: in samba, choro and pagode it is the rhythmic and harmonic center, driving the groove with bright, percussive chords. Its home chord C keeps its lowest note on E and rings 1 open string.
Cadences: Harmony comes to rest here: hear cadences on the neck, 9 free and another one each week · try it in Chord and Fret
Save this progression in Chord and FretReharmonize: Want richer substitutions? Reharmonize's Subtle and Medium levels are free; Bold and Jazz are part of Pro · open in Chord and Fret
Learn each chord of the trip
This is one shape of C. In the app, every chord in this progression comes with its other shapes and audio, free. Open in Chord and Fret →
Metronome: Drill this change in time, with tap tempo and subdivisions · use it in Chord and Fret