ii-V-I Progressions & Jazz Foundations
The ii-V-I is the beating heart of jazz. This week you build it fluently in major and minor, recognize it by ear, and play it across multiple keys.
Learning Goals
Lesson Content
The ii-V-I in Major
In C major, ii-V-I means Dm7 → G7 → Cmaj7. The ii chord sets up the V (the dominant), and the V resolves to the tonic. This cadence drives almost every jazz standard. The pull from G7 to Cmaj7 comes from the tritone (B and F) inside G7 resolving inward to C and E.
The ii-V-I in Minor
In C minor, the progression becomes Dm7(b5) → G7(b9) → Cm(maj7) or Cm7. The half-diminished ii and altered V produce a darker, more tense cadence — essential jazz vocabulary.
Practicing Through Keys
Jazz musicians practice ii-V-I in all 12 keys by cycling through the Circle of Fifths. Start slow with a metronome, nail the voice leading, then speed up.
Practice Activities
Activity 1: Play ii-V-I in Three Keys
Using the Synthesizer, play ii-V-I in C major, F major, and Bb major. Use root-position voicings first, then try rootless voicings (3rds and 7ths).
Activity 2: Chord Progression Identification — Advanced
Play Chord Progression Identification on Advanced until you reach 15 correct with 70%+ accuracy. Focus on identifying ii-V-I cadences among other progressions.
Activity 3: Chord Reading — Advanced Review
Aim for 20 correct on Chord Reading at Advanced. Jazz fluency depends on reading extended chord symbols at speed.
Activity 4: Jazz Comping with Metronome
Set the Metronome to 80 BPM and comp a ii-V-I over two bars (ii for one bar, V for one bar, I for two bars). Keep time steady and try different rhythmic feels.
Activity 5: Key Signature Mastery
Reach 20 correct with 80%+ accuracy in Key Signature Identification on Advanced. Knowing the key at a glance is critical for fast ii-V-I transposition.