ii - V - I
Also known as the two-five-one, jazz harmony’s most common cadence.
The backbone of jazz harmony. The roots fall in fifths, ii to V to I, about as strong a pull toward resolution as tonal music has. Jazz players almost always dress up all three chords with sevenths, the ii as a minor seventh, the V as a dominant seventh, the I as a major seventh, for the smoothest version of the sound.
Hear it in different keys
Heard in
Famous songs built on this progression. Learn the loop above and you can play along with them.
- Satin Doll — Duke Ellington
- Tune Up — Miles Davis