Chromatic Descending ii-Vs
The Chromatic descending ii-Vs is the chord progression vi7-II7-bvi7-bII7-Imaj7. In the key of C major it is Am7 D7 Abm7 Db7 Cmaj7, and in the Nashville Number System it is written 6m(7) 2(7) b6m(7) b2(7) 1(maj7).
It is also known as side-slipping ii-V.
Chords from outside the key of C major: D7, Abm7, Db7.
Jump to the chords and audio in C, G, D, A and E
Why it works
A ii-V pair is followed by the same pair a half step lower, and the last dominant then slides down a half step to I. The second pair is the tritone substitute of the key's own ii-V, so the harmony melts chromatically into the tonic. It sounds slippery and elegant.
Songs that use it
These are the chords as played in each song, in the song's own key.
| Song | Artist | Section | Chords | Key |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Satin Doll | Duke Ellington | A section, bars 5 to 7 | Am7 D7 | Abm7 Db7 | Cmaj7 | C major |
| Blues for Alice | Charlie Parker | bars 7 to 9 | Am7 D7 | Abm7 Db7 | Gm7 | F major |
Chromatic Descending ii-Vs: Chords and Audio in C, G, D, A and E
Press play to hear each key. The diagrams show the shapes used in the audio, and every chord links to its full page.
More progressions like this one
- Rhythm changes A section: C Am / Dm G / C Am / Dm G / C C7 / F Fm / C G / C
- Descending ii-V-Is: Cmaj7 Cm7 F7 Bbmaj7 Bbm7 Eb7 Abmaj7
- ii-V-I: Dm G C
- Circle progression: C Am Dm G
All guitar chord progressions →
Created by
Giancarlo is a musician (teaching guitar since 2000), software engineer, AI consultant and published researcher
FAQ
What are the chords of the Chromatic descending ii-Vs in each key?
In C major: Am7 D7 Abm7 Db7 Cmaj7. In G major: Em7 A7 Ebm7 Ab7 Gmaj7. In D major: Bm7 E7 Bbm7 Eb7 Dmaj7. In A major: F#m7 B7 Fm7 Bb7 Amaj7. In E major: C#m7 F#7 Cm7 F7 Emaj7.
Which songs use the Chromatic descending ii-Vs?
Songs that use it include Satin Doll by Duke Ellington, Blues for Alice by Charlie Parker.
