iiVI

Jazz · intermediate

ii-V-I

The cornerstone of jazz harmony. The ii minor chord leads to the dominant V, which resolves to the tonic I with maximum harmonic momentum.

jazzysophisticatedsmoothresolved

Hear ii-V-I in Any Key

How to Identify It

The ii-V creates a two-step approach to the tonic — the ii adds a smooth harmonic approach. It has a sophisticated, jazzy feeling of forward motion and resolution. Dm7-G7-Cmaj7 in C major.

Famous Examples

  • Autumn Leaves — jazz standard
  • Fly Me to the Moon — Frank Sinatra
  • All The Things You Are — Jerome Kern
  • Satin Doll — Duke Ellington
  • Almost every jazz standard contains ii-V-I
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ii-V-I in All 12 Keys

CDm – G – CC#D♭Ebm – Ab – DbDEm – A – DD#E♭Fm – Bb – EbEF#m – B – EFGm – C – FF#G♭G#m – C# – F#GAm – D – GG#A♭Bbm – Eb – AbABm – E – AA#B♭Cm – F – BbBC#m – F# – B

Related Progressions

12-Bar BluesBlues / Rock / JazzThe defining form of the blues — a 12-bar cycle using I…I-IV-V-IClassical / Pop / RockThe most fundamental progression in Western music. Toni…ii-IV-I-VJazz / Soul / R&BA sophisticated jazz-influenced progression starting on…I-V-vi-IVPop / RockThe most ubiquitous progression in modern pop music. Op…

About the ii-V-I Progression

The ii-V-I progression uses the chords ii – V – I from the major scale. The cornerstone of jazz harmony. The ii minor chord leads to the dominant V, which resolves to the tonic I with maximum harmonic momentum.

To recognise the ii-V-I by ear, focus on its characteristic mood — jazzy, sophisticated, smooth, resolved. 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.