Chord progression · major keys
The ii V I progression in all 12 keys
The cadence jazz is built on. Each root falls a fifth, so the ear always knows where the next chord is going. Also called "2 5 1" and "two five one".
How it moves, in C major
- Dm7ii7
- G7V7
- Cmaj7Imaj7
- Dm7 to G72 voices hold, 2 move, 6 semitones of motion in all.
- G7 to Cmaj72 voices hold, 2 move, 6 semitones of motion in all.
It ends on a authentic cadence.