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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

In A# major

iim7 Cm7 V7 F7 Imaj7 A#maj7

In C major

iim7 Dm7 V7 G7 Imaj7 Cmaj7

Roman numerals show scale degree and quality: uppercase for major, lowercase for minor, a small circle for diminished. Tap any chord above to open its full page, with a diagram and playback.