Samba ii-V-I progression on cavaquinho
What is the Samba ii-V-I progression?
The Samba ii-V-I progression is CmCmCmCm, F and Bb (ii–V–I), in the key of Bb 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 Cm7Cm7Cm7Cm7, F7F7F7F7 and Bbmaj7Bbmaj7Bbmaj7Bbmaj7: 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: Cm (ii, the stroll) → F (V, time to come back) → Bb (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 Bb — the home chord.
Cavaquinho
Its chords sound tight and punchy; instead of holding long shapes, it keeps the beat moving with short, repeated strums. 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 Bb keeps its lowest note on F.
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 Bb. 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