4-5
Taio Cruz, “Telling the World” from Rio (2011)
This mid-tempo song features (almost exclusively) a repeating I–Isus4–iv7–I harmonic progression that avoids the dominant. The more typical I–vi–IV–I progression (which also excludes a dominant harmony) can be heard in countless pop songs (such as in Bruno Mars’ “Just The Way You Are”).
Optional: Prepare to improvise on the progression of “Telling the World” using only scale degrees 1–4. Similarly to the original song, the back-up track provided features a layering of textural elements that helps create momentum.
Optional: Prepare to improvise on the progression in two other keys: D major and F major, using the back-up tracks below.
Backing Track
Backing Track in D
Backing Track in F
