Turnaround Chord Substitution
Relative Minor
It is common to substitute the relative minor chord for the IV chord. This is a IIm chord.
E.g. in the key of C the IV chord is F. The relative minor of F is Dm, which is the IIm chord.
E.g. Turnaround No. 1 becomes - I VIm IIm V7
E.g. in the key of C - C Am Dm G7
E.g. Turnaround No. 2 becomes - I IIIm IIm V7
E.g. in the key of C - C Em Dm G7
Practice playing turnarounds No. 1 and No. 2 in various keys, using the above substitution.
Chord Extensions
Turnarounds can also be played using chord extensions of the base chords. These examples use major seventh and minor seventh chords.
Turnaround 1 Chord Extensions
E.g. Turnaround No. 1 becomes - Imaj7 VIm7 IVmaj7 V7
E.g. in the key of C - Cmaj7 Am7 Fmaj7 G7
If we substitute the relative minor (IIm) for the IVmaj7 chord,
E.g. Turnaround No. 1 becomes - Imaj7 VIm7 IIm7 V7
E.g. in the key of C - Cmaj7 Am7 Dm7 G7
Turnaround 2 Chord Extensions
E.g. Turnaround No. 2 becomes - Imaj7 VIm7 IImaj7 V7
E.g. in the key of C - Cmaj7 Am7 Fmaj7 G7
If we substitute the relative minor (IIm7) for the IVmaj7 chord,
E.g. Turnaround No. 2 becomes - Imaj7 IIIm7 IIm7 V7
E.g. in the key of C - Cmaj7 Em7 Dm7 G7
Ninth Chords
It is possible to substitute the V7 chord with a ninth chord.
E.g. Turnaround No. 1 becomes - Imaj7 VIm7 IVmaj7 V9
E.g. in the key of C - Cmaj7 Am7 Fmaj7 G9
If we substitute th e relative minor (IIm7) for the IVmaj7 chord,
E.g. Turnaround No. 1 becomes - Imaj7 VIm7 IIm7 V9
E.g. in the key of C - Cmaj7 Am7 Dm7 G9
E.g. Turnaround No. 2 becomes - Imaj7 IIIm7 IVmaj7 V9
E.g. in the key of C - Cmaj7 Em7 Fmaj7 G9
If we substitute the relative minor (IIm7) for the IVmaj7 chord,
E.g. Turnaround No. 2 becomes - Imaj7 IIIm7 IIm7 V9
E.g. in the key of C - Cmaj7 Em7 Dm7 G9
Starting on the IV Chord
Instead of starting all the above turnarounds on the I chord, you can start on the IV chord.
E.g. Turnaround No. 1 becomes - IV V7 I VIm
E.g. in the key of C - F G7 C Am
E.g. Turnaround No. 2 becomes - IV V7 I IIIm
E.g. in the key of C - F G7 C Em
There are hundreds of songs which use turnaround progressions. As well as the ones listed on p.186# there are many Jazz Standards with more complex chord changes which are also based on turnaround progressions. The more familiar you are with these progressions and their various substitution possibilities, the more songs you will be able to learn quickly and the more you will be able to participate in jam sessions.
