← Jazz roadmap
intermediatetheory
ii–V–I Progressions
The backbone of jazz harmony — Dm7–G7–Cmaj7 in all keys.
Objective
Understand and play the ii–V–I progression in at least four keys using drop-2 or shell voicings.
Concepts
- ▸The ii–V–I is the most fundamental chord movement in jazz. It creates strong pull toward the tonic (I).
- ▸In C major: ii = Dm7, V = G7, I = Cmaj7.
- ▸The V7 chord contains a tritone (between the 3rd and 7th) that resolves by half-step into the I chord.
- ▸Dm7 notes: D–F–A–C. G7 notes: G–B–D–F. Cmaj7 notes: C–E–G–B.
- ▸To transpose: move the entire progression up or down by the same number of semitones.
- ▸In a minor key (ii°–V7–im): Bm7b5–E7–Am in A minor.
Diagram / Notation
ii–V–I in C Major (shell voicings) Dm7 G7 Cmaj7 e --1-- e --1-- e --0-- B --1-- B --0-- B --1-- G --2-- G --0-- G --0-- D --0-- D --0-- D --2-- A --x-- A --2-- A --3-- E --x-- E --3-- E --x-- ii–V–I in G Major Am7 → D7 → Gmaj7 (all shapes shift up 7 semitones)
Exercises
1.ii–V–I in C — slow loop
- 1.Set metronome to 60 BPM. Two beats per chord.
- 2.Dm7 (2 beats) → G7 (2 beats) → Cmaj7 (4 beats).
- 3.Listen to the tension on G7 and the release on Cmaj7.
- 4.Repeat 8 times without stopping.
2.Transpose to four keys
- 1.Learn ii–V–I in C, then G (Am7–D7–Gmaj7), then F (Gm7–C7–Fmaj7), then Bb (Cm7–F7–Bbmaj7).
- 2.Use a play-along track (YouTube: "jazz backing track ii V I") to practice with a rhythm section.
3.Cycle of fourths drill
- 1.Play a ii–V–I, then immediately begin the next ii–V–I a fourth higher.
- 2.C → F → Bb → Eb → Ab → Db → Gb → B → E → A → D → G → back to C.
- 3.This covers all 12 keys in one loop — 30 seconds per key to start.
Tips
- 💡Hear the progression in famous songs: "Autumn Leaves", "All The Things You Are", "Satin Doll".
- 💡Voice leading is key — move each note the shortest possible distance from chord to chord.
- 💡The 3rd and 7th are the "guide tones" — they define the chord quality. Prioritize those two notes.
- 💡Practice singing each chord tone as you play it to build your ear.