iiø7–V7–i7 chord progression
Minor ii–V–i — iiø7–V7–i7 · also called the minor two-five-one
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The iiø7–V7–i7 progression is the minor-key version of the ii–V–I: the ii becomes half-diminished, the V stays a dominant seventh (from harmonic minor) and the resolution lands on a minor seventh chord — darker, but with the same pull.
It moves from the supertonic (iiø7) to the dominant (V7) to the tonic (i7) and then repeats. Each chord lasts 4 beats, so one pass of the 3 chords is 3 bars of 4/4.
In A minor the chords are Bm7♭5 – E7 – Am7; in E minor they are F♯m7♭5 – B7 – Em7. 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.
iiø7–V7–i7 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 minor | Dm7♭5 – G7 – Cm7 |
| C♯ minor | D♯m7♭5 – G♯7 – C♯m7 |
| D minor | Em7♭5 – A7 – Dm7 |
| D♯ minor | E♯m7♭5 – A♯7 – D♯m7 |
| E minor | F♯m7♭5 – B7 – Em7 |
| F minor | Gm7♭5 – C7 – Fm7 |
| F♯ minor | G♯m7♭5 – C♯7 – F♯m7 |
| G minor | Am7♭5 – D7 – Gm7 |
| G♯ minor | A♯m7♭5 – D♯7 – G♯m7 |
| A minor | Bm7♭5 – E7 – Am7 |
| B♭ minor | Cm7♭5 – F7 – B♭m7 |
| B minor | C♯m7♭5 – F♯7 – Bm7 |
Songs that use it
Well-known songs built on this progression, at least in the section each is known for:
- Autumn Leaves — Joseph Kosma
- Blue Bossa — Kenny Dorham
Frequently asked questions
- What chords are in the iiø7–V7–i7 progression in A minor?
- In A minor the iiø7–V7–i7 progression is Bm7♭5 – E7 – Am7. The same numerals give F♯m7♭5 – B7 – Em7 in E minor; the table above lists all twelve keys.
- What is the iiø7–V7–i7 progression called?
- iiø7–V7–i7 is known as the Minor ii–V–i, and also as the minor two-five-one. The iiø7–V7–i7 progression is the minor-key version of the ii–V–I: the ii becomes half-diminished, the V stays a dominant seventh (from harmonic minor) and the resolution lands on a minor seventh chord — darker, but with the same pull.
- How long is the iiø7–V7–i7 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 iiø7–V7–i7 progression?
- "Autumn Leaves" by Joseph Kosma and "Blue Bossa" by Kenny Dorham are built on it, at least in the section each is known for.