Gospel extended ii-V-I progression on cavaquinho
What is the Gospel extended ii-V-I progression?
The Gospel extended ii-V-I progression is EbmEbmEbmEbm, Ab and Db (ii–V–I), in the key of Db 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 Ebm7Ebm7Ebm7Ebm7, Ab7Ab7Ab7Ab7 and Dbmaj7Dbmaj7Dbmaj7Dbmaj7: 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: Ebm (ii, the stroll) → Ab (V, time to come back) → Db (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 Db — 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. In pop, rock or blues the cavaquinho is an unusual guest; it adds a bright, chopping rhythm layer, but it can't cover the low end a band expects. Its home chord Db keeps its lowest note on F.
Cadences: Harmony comes to rest here: hear cadences on the neck, 9 free and another one each week · see 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 Db. 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