JAZZ HARMONY · 8 MIN SUGGESTED
ii–V–I Jazz Guitar Progressions
The ii-V-I is a relationship between chords, not a fixed set of fret numbers.
Major ii–V–I progressions · By Vincent Iannone · Updated
What is a ii–V–I progression?
A ii–V–I is a three-chord progression built on the second, fifth and first degrees of a key, and it is the most common cadence in jazz. In a major key ii is a minor seventh chord, V is a dominant seventh and I is a major seventh, so in C the progression is Dm7–G7–Cmaj7. Each root falls a fifth (or rises a fourth) to the next: D to G, then G to C. The Roman numerals describe the chords’ roles rather than fixed frets, so the same pattern moves to any key: Gm7–C7–Fmaj7 in F, or Cm7–F7–B♭maj7 in B♭. Recognising ii–V–Is lets you read long jazz chord charts as a few familiar moves.
The idea
In a major key, ii is minor seventh, V is dominant seventh, and I is major seventh. In C this is Dm7-G7-Cmaj7. The Roman numerals describe each root's place in the key, so the same pattern works in another key.
Put it under your fingers
- In the play-along, hear Dm7, G7 and Cmaj7 as a connected progression.
- Play each root as its chord arrives. Listen to the final chord as a point of rest.
- Change the key to F: play Gm7-C7-Fmaj7 with the same harmonic roles.
Roots first, then the target thirds
D3-G2-C3 supplies the ii-V-I bass roadmap in C. F3-B3-E3 then traces the third of each chord.
Sounding notes: D3 → G2 → C3 → F3 → B3 → E3.
| # | Sounding note | Move from the previous note |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | D3 | Starting note |
| 2 | G2 | Down 7 semitones |
| 3 | C3 | Up 5 semitones |
| 4 | F3 | Up 5 semitones |
| 5 | B3 | Up 6 semitones |
| 6 | E3 | Down 7 semitones |
Make it yours
Find the roots of a ii-V-I in Bb before asking the lab to show you the notes.
Keep the ideas connected.
- Jazz Guitar Seventh Chords: maj7, m7 & Dominant 7A dominant seventh has a major third and a minor seventh.
- Jazz Guitar Guide Tones: Thirds & SeventhsA common tone plus a half-step move can describe an entire chord change.
- ii–V–I Jazz Guitar PracticePractice major ii–V–I progressions with playable Dm7–G7–Cmaj7 shells, guide-tone movement, original phrase ideas and a four-bar guitar play-along.
- Jazz Blues Guitar: The 12-Bar Form, Chords and TurnaroundsLearn the jazz blues on guitar: the 12-bar form in F, dominant seventh shells, the ii–V in bars 9 and 10, the turnaround and guide-tone targets for soloing.
- Walking Bass Lines on GuitarLearn to walk a bass line on guitar: roots on beat one, chord tones, scale steps and chromatic approach notes through a ii–V–I and a blues.
- Rhythm Changes on GuitarLearn rhythm changes on guitar: the 32-bar AABA form in B♭, the I–vi–ii–V A section, the cycle-of-dominants bridge and common substitutions.