Jazz piano Technique

The circle of fifths (or Cycle of Fifths) is very important in jazz piano as it provides harmonic diversity through a harmonic movement in fifths (or fourths). Usually during the last four bars of a jazz melody or melodic section, the chord progression is "III, VI, II, V, I." 3, 6, 2, and 5 as scale degrees correspond to the last four steps in the cycle leading to the tonic.

To any listener, a well-placed transitional harmony sounds correct, whereas a skilled piano player recognizes it as a step in the circle of fifths. In jazz music often there is one chord change per bar. In the simplest example, two bars of the same tonic chord would be played instead as "I - V / I." This same back-and-forth example is often applied, where a pause or shift of direction is evident in the tune. Further use of the circle is a matter of counting several steps ahead, or backwards from the tonic chord as a goal, perhaps like a runner counting steps toward a long jump. After some practice it becomes second nature.

Another advantage of the circle of fifths is that it enhances the ability to transpose a song, for which not all pianists have an equal natural gift. In chord "planing" or shifting a chord, often voiced in fourths, up the scale, there is often a repeated harmonic pattern of one-five-one-five (tonic-dominant-tonic-dominant).

One can use the circle of fifths to harmonize a tune, such as "Autumn Leaves" or "Summertime", tunes without complex melodic lines or lines having a few repeated shapes. This does not mean arranging new chords according to the circle for the entire tune. Rather, it means the insertion periodically of one-five progressions that are fragments of the circle of fifths, where it makes an appropriate transition, or for several bars. In many jazz standards, this technique can be applied more continuously and makes for excellent reharmonization. In tunes such as Stella By Starlight, the circle of fifths is at least useful between most changes.