ii-V-I Chord Progression
The ii-V-I is the chord progression ii-V-I. In the key of C major it is Dm G C, and in the Nashville Number System it is written 2m 5 1.
Jump to the chords and audio in C, G, D, A and E
Why it works
The core cadence of jazz. Roots fall by fifths D-G-C, the strongest root motion in tonal harmony, and with sevenths the guide tones move by a half step or stay put (F to F to E, C to B to B). Most jazz standards are built on chains of this cell.
How to use it
Just as the I-IV-V is known for rock and pop, the ii-V-I is a staple of jazz. You will find this and many variations of it across multiple genres. In some cases it is repeated but modulated through different keys. It is also common to see the final I get dropped or instead be used as a minor i.
Songs that use it
These are the chords as played in each song, in the song's own key.
| Song | Artist | Section | Chords | Key |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I'd Really Love to See You Tonight | England Dan and John Ford Coley | verse | Dm7 G Cmaj7 | C major |
| Sunday Morning | Maroon 5 | intro, verse and chorus | Dm7 G7 C | C major |
| Satin Doll | Duke Ellington | bridge | Gm7 C7 Fmaj7, Am7 D7 G7 | C major |
| Afternoon in Paris | John Lewis | A section | Cm7 F7 Bbmaj7, Bbm7 Eb7 Abmaj7 | C major |
| Left Alone | Fiona Apple | verse | G#m C#7 F# (plays i-IV-bVII) | G# minor |
| Autumn Leaves | Kosma and Prévert | A section | Em7 A7 Dmaj7 | C major |
| In Dreams | Roy Orbison | verse | C Dm G (plays I-ii-V) | C major |
| Seasons in the Sun | Terry Jacks | chorus | F# G#m C# (plays I-ii-V) | F# major |
| It's Now or Never | Elvis Presley | chorus | E F#m B E (plays I-ii-V) | E major |
Keep learning
- Jazz Chord Progressions For Guitar Players
- Jazz Progression Workout: Practice The ii-V-I Sequence On Guitar
ii-V-I Chord Progression: 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.
Longer progressions that contain it
- Diatonic circle of fifths: C F Bdim Em Am Dm G C
More progressions like this one
- Circle progression: C Am Dm G
- Backdoor progression: Fm7 Bb7 C
- I-#Idim-ii-V: C C#dim Dm G
- Ascending augmented: C Caug C6 C7
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 ii-V-I in each key?
In C major: Dm G C. In G major: Am D G. In D major: Em A D. In A major: Bm E A. In E major: F#m B E.
Which songs use the ii-V-I?
Songs that use it include I'd Really Love to See You Tonight by England Dan and John Ford Coley, Sunday Morning by Maroon 5, Satin Doll by Duke Ellington.
