Minor ii-V-i Chord Progression (iim7b5 V7 i)
The Minor ii-V-i is the chord progression iim7b5-V7-i. In the key of C minor it is Dm7b5 G7 Cm, and in the Nashville Number System it is written 2(m7b5) 5(7) 1m.
It is also known as minor two-five-one.
Chords from outside the key of C minor: G7.
Jump to the chords and audio in C, G, D, A and E
Why it works
This is the minor key version of the ii-V-I. The ii chord is half diminished because the sixth degree of natural minor is flat, and V is made dominant by raising the seventh degree, a note borrowed from harmonic minor. The result is a darker cadence that pulls hard into the minor tonic.
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 Will Survive | Gloria Gaynor | end of every verse and chorus cycle | Bm7(b5) E7sus4 E7 Am | A minor |
| Blue Bossa | Kenny Dorham | bars 5 to 7 | Dm7b5 | G7 | Cm7 | C minor |
| Autumn Leaves | Joseph Kosma | A section, bars 5 to 7 | Am7b5 | D7 | Gm7 | G minor |
| Fly Me to the Moon | Bart Howard | A section, bars 6 to 8 | Bm7b5 | E7 | Am7 | A minor |
| Love | Musiq Soulchild | intro | D#m7b5 G#7 C#m7 | C# minor |
Minor 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
- Minor circle of fifths: Cm Fm Bb Eb Ab Dm7b5 G Cm
- Autumn Leaves changes: Fm7 Bb7 Ebmaj7 Abmaj7 Dm7b5 G7 Cm
More progressions like this one
- Diatonic circle of fifths: C F Bdim Em Am Dm G C
- iii-VI-ii-V turnaround: Em A7 Dm G7
- Sears Roebuck bridge: E7 A7 D7 G7
- Tritone substitution cadence: Dm7 Db7 Cmaj7
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 Minor ii-V-i in each key?
In C minor: Dm7b5 G7 Cm. In G minor: Am7b5 D7 Gm. In D minor: Em7b5 A7 Dm. In A minor: Bm7b5 E7 Am. In E minor: F#m7b5 B7 Em.
Which songs use the Minor ii-V-i?
Songs that use it include I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor, Blue Bossa by Kenny Dorham, Autumn Leaves by Joseph Kosma.
