Ice cream changes

[Bob Visentin]

I never heard this term before last night. I know about rhythm changes but ice cream changes was a new one on me.

I vi IV V or G Em C D

Hundreds of songs especially Do-wop use this. Duke of Earl, Heart and Soul, Stand By Me.

Rhythm changes come from I Got Rhythm. How did ice cream changes get its name?

[Steve L]

I've never heard it either.

[DavidKOS]

It's an old term used in dance bands for the chord pattern shown above. Also called "50's progression".

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/50s_progression

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o...0s_progression

https://ask.audio/articles/music-the...v7-progression

"I am not sure where the term “ice cream changes” for this chord progression came from"

[sblock]

Yes, I scream changes! I scream changes at my jam-mates all the time!!

[mandopops]

Yea, a term you’ll hear from time to time, also you’ll hear do-wop changes. At one of my Bluegrass band practices one of guys started playing a tune with that progression. I said Ice cream changes”. It got a befuddled look.
Joe N

[Hypoxia]

I've always heard it called the 'turnaround'.

[David L]

I've always heard it called the 'turnaround'.

"Turnaround" is a fairly specific term for a short passage (ending on the dominant) at the end of a verse which makes you want to start over again.

[David L]

I've known that as "ice cream changes" for years. I think it comes from all the "malt shop" do-wop groups from the 50s.

[stevedenver]

1-6m-4-5
I too have never heard "ice cream", but, i get the malt shop association.
In the still of the night.....
Stand by me....

[ajh]

I have always heard it referred to as "Vanilla" changes....