ii7–V7–Imaj7 chord progression
ii–V–I — ii7–V7–Imaj7 · also called the two-five-one, 2–5–1
Rate this tool
Be the first to rate this toolii7–V7–Imaj7 chord progression — how it works
The ii7–V7–Imaj7 progression is the fundamental cadence of jazz: the ii chord prepares the dominant, the dominant seventh strains toward home, and the major seventh tonic lands softly — practically every standard is built from chains of it.
It moves from the supertonic (ii7) to the dominant (V7) to the tonic (Imaj7) and then repeats. Each chord lasts 4 beats, so one pass of the 3 chords is 3 bars of 4/4.
In C major the chords are Dm7 – G7 – Cmaj7; in G major they are Am7 – D7 – Gmaj7. Press play above to hear the progression, then pick the key that fits your voice or your song and set the tempo you want to practise at.
ii7–V7–Imaj7 in every key
The numerals stay the same; only the chords change. Find your key below, or pick it in the player above to hear it.
| Key | Chords |
|---|---|
| C major | Dm7 – G7 – Cmaj7 |
| D♭ major | E♭m7 – A♭7 – D♭maj7 |
| D major | Em7 – A7 – Dmaj7 |
| E♭ major | Fm7 – B♭7 – E♭maj7 |
| E major | F♯m7 – B7 – Emaj7 |
| F major | Gm7 – C7 – Fmaj7 |
| F♯ major | G♯m7 – C♯7 – F♯maj7 |
| G major | Am7 – D7 – Gmaj7 |
| A♭ major | B♭m7 – E♭7 – A♭maj7 |
| A major | Bm7 – E7 – Amaj7 |
| B♭ major | Cm7 – F7 – B♭maj7 |
| B major | C♯m7 – F♯7 – Bmaj7 |
Songs that use it
Well-known songs built on this progression, at least in the section each is known for:
- Satin Doll — Duke Ellington
- Tune Up — Miles Davis
Frequently asked questions
- What chords are in the ii7–V7–Imaj7 progression in C major?
- In C major the ii7–V7–Imaj7 progression is Dm7 – G7 – Cmaj7. The same numerals give Am7 – D7 – Gmaj7 in G major; the table above lists all twelve keys.
- What is the ii7–V7–Imaj7 progression called?
- ii7–V7–Imaj7 is known as the ii–V–I, and also as the two-five-one and 2–5–1. The ii7–V7–Imaj7 progression is the fundamental cadence of jazz: the ii chord prepares the dominant, the dominant seventh strains toward home, and the major seventh tonic lands softly — practically every standard is built from chains of it.
- How long is the ii7–V7–Imaj7 progression?
- Each chord lasts 4 beats, so one pass of the 3 chords is 3 bars of 4/4. Loop it to keep the harmony going under a verse or a solo.
- What songs use the ii7–V7–Imaj7 progression?
- "Satin Doll" by Duke Ellington and "Tune Up" by Miles Davis are built on it, at least in the section each is known for.