In jazz, a constant structure is a chord progression consisting of three or more chords of the same type or quality. Popularized by pianists Bill Evans and Herbie Hancock, the combination of functional and nonfunctional chords provides cohesiveness while producing a free and shifting tonal center.
For example, the progression F<sup>maj7</sup>âÂÂA<sup>maj7</sup>âÂÂD<sup>maj7</sup>âÂÂG<sup>maj7</sup>âÂÂC<sup>13sus4</sup> contains four major seventh chords (and one thirteenth chord), none of which are diatonic to the key of F major except the first.
In contrast, the viâÂÂiiâÂÂVâÂÂI or circle progression from classical theory contains four chords of two or three different qualities: major, minor, and possibly a dominant seventh chord; all of which, however, are diatonic to the key. Thus diversity is achieved within a stable and fixed tonal center.