II–V–I: ii - V - I progression in C major
II–V–I (ii - V - I), a sophisticated progression played in C major: listen to it, transpose it into any key, and see it on the circle of fifths.
Key
Chord
Diatonic chords
Fretboard
Instrument
Frets15
1224
E
B
G
D
A
E
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Tempo
90 BPM
Strumming
1
&
2
&
3
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4
&
Progression library
Path on the circle
ii - V - I
II–V–I is a sophisticated progression, shown here in C major (tonic C) with the degree sequence ii - V - I.
ii-V-I is jazz's foundational cadence: the ii degree sets up the V (the dominant, which builds tension), which resolves onto the I (the tonic, which releases it). With sevenths added, each chord leads the ear to the next through shared passing tones -- which is why this sequence is the first progression every jazz improviser studies.