iiIVIV

Jazz / Soul / R&B · advanced

ii-IV-I-V

A sophisticated jazz-influenced progression starting on the ii minor. Common in soul, R&B, and smooth jazz for its warm, flowing harmonic movement.

smoothjazzysoulfulwarm

Hear ii-IV-I-V in Any Key

How to Identify It

Starting on ii minor gives it a smooth, introspective opening. The motion through IV to I has a relaxed resolution before the V leads back. Think warm soul music.

Famous Examples

  • Smooth jazz and soul ballads
  • R&B chord progressions
  • Neo-soul — D'Angelo, Erykah Badu style
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ii-IV-I-V in All 12 Keys

CDm – F – C – GC#D♭Ebm – Gb – Db – AbDEm – G – D – AD#E♭Fm – Ab – Eb – BbEF#m – A – E – BFGm – Bb – F – CF#G♭G#m – B – F# – C#GAm – C – G – DG#A♭Bbm – Db – Ab – EbABm – D – A – EA#B♭Cm – Eb – Bb – FBC#m – E – B – F#

Related Progressions

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About the ii-IV-I-V Progression

The ii-IV-I-V progression uses the chords ii – IV – I – V from the major scale. A sophisticated jazz-influenced progression starting on the ii minor. Common in soul, R&B, and smooth jazz for its warm, flowing harmonic movement.

To recognise the ii-IV-I-V by ear, focus on its characteristic mood — smooth, jazzy, soulful, warm. Practice hearing it in different keys using the player above. Each key gives the same harmonic movement but a different tonal colour, which is why being able to identify the progression regardless of key is the real skill.