Samba circle-of-fifths progression progression on electric guitar
What is the Samba circle-of-fifths progression progression?
The Samba circle-of-fifths progression progression is GmGmGmGm, CmCmCmCm, F and Bb (vi–ii–V–I), in the key of Bb major. Read as harmonic function it moves tonic → subdominant → dominant → tonic, arriving home on a cadence. Play one chord per bar and let it loop.
Good music works like a good walk: you leave, get a little lost on purpose, and come back. The map of this one: Gm (vi, home) → Cm (ii, the stroll) → F (V, time to come back) → Bb (I, home). Press play and follow along — at the "time to come back" chord, notice the physical urge to hear Bb again — the home chord.
Electric guitar
The amplified tone holds each chord for a long time, so a few well-chosen notes keep ringing on their own while you leave room for the rest of the group. The electric guitar is not the traditional voice of samba or choro, but it fits MPB and modern arrangements well, adding smooth chords and quiet fills beside the core rhythm instruments. Its home chord Bb keeps its lowest note on A#.
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 · use it 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 · open in Chord and Fret