Turnaround Progressions
A Turnaround progression is a set pattern of chords that repeats. There are hundreds of well known songs based upon these Turnaround progressions. All these songs contain basically the same chords in the same order.
A Turnaround may repeat over any number of bars, usually 2, 4 and 8 bars. However, the chord sequence remains the same. Some of the biggest hit records of all time have been based upon a Turnaround progression. The Turnaround below uses a new chord, E minor (Em).
The E Minor Chord
Type 1 Keyboards (e.g., Yamaha and Technics)
To play an Em chord on this type of keyboard, press the E key as shown in the diagram with the first finger of your left hand, together with the black key immediately to its left, using your second finger.
Type 2 Keyboards (e.g., Casio)
To play an Em chord on this type of keyboard, press the E key as shown in the diagram with the second finger of your left hand, together with the white key to its right, using your first finger.
Type 3 Keyboards (e.g., Roland and Kawai)
To play an Em chord on this type of keyboard, press the E key as shown in the diagram with the fifth finger of your left hand, together with the third key to its right, using your third finger.
The following Turnaround is in the key of G and will probably sound familiar to you.
Suggested Rhythm: Rock and Roll
Songs using the Turnaround Progression
- Stand by Me - John Lennon
- I Will Always Love You - Whitney Houston
- Return to Sender - Elvis Presley
- All I Have to do is Dream - Everly Brothers
- Be My Baby - Ronettes
- Everlasting Love - U2
- Can’t Smile Without You - Barry Manilow
- Please Mr Postman - The Beatles
- Blue Moon - Various Artists
- Tell Me Why - The Beatles
- Let’s Twist Again - Chubby Checker
The A Minor Chord
Type 1 Keyboards (e.g., Yamaha and Technics)
To play an Am chord on this type of keyboard, press the A key shown in the diagram with the third finger of your left hand, together with the black key immediately to its left, using your fourth finger.
Type 2 Keyboards (e.g., Casio)
To play an Am chord on this type of keyboard, press the A key shown in the diagram with the fourth finger of your left hand, together with the white key to its right, using your third finger.
Type 3 Keyboards (e.g., Roland and Kawai)
To play an Am chord on this type of keyboard, press the A key shown in the diagram with the fifth finger of your left hand, together with the third key to its right, using your third finger.
The melody of this song was a number one hit record and was based on a minuet by the famous classical composer Bach. This song introduces the note B below middle C in Bars 7 and 15.
Suggested Rhythm: Beguine
Morning has Broken uses all the chords you have learned so far. It also introduces the note A below middle C in bar 17.
Suggested Rhythm: Waltz
