turnaround

theoryTURN-uh-rowndfrom English

A short [chord progression](/term/chord%20progression) at the end of a section that leads back to the beginning.‍​‌​‌​‌​‍​‍​‌​‌​‍​‌​‍​‍​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‍​‌​‍​‍​‍​‍​‌​‍​‍​‍​‌​‌​‌​‌

In Depth

Turnarounds are essential in blues, jazz, and gospel.‍​‌​‌​‌​‍​‍​‌​‌​‍​‌​‍​‍​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‍​‌​‍​‍​‍​‍​‌​‍​‍​‍​‌​‌​‌​‌ The classic blues turnaround uses the V chord in the final bar to pull the ear back to the I chord at the top. Jazz turnarounds often use the I-VI-II-V progression. Turnarounds can be simple or elaborately reharmonised, and great jazz musicians are known for their inventive turnaround substitutions. The turnaround transforms a static ending into a launching pad.
Did you know?

Charlie Parker's turnarounds were so harmonically advanced that other musicians would crowd the stage just to watch his fingers and learn the substitutions.

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