ii – V – Iii–V–I (Jazz Cadence)
The backbone of jazz harmony. Smooth voice-leading, strong tonal pull, opens up extended chord vocabulary (m7, 9, 13).
Other progressionsI–V–vi–IV ("Axis of Awesome")vi–IV–I–V (Sensitive Female Progression)I–IV–V (Three-Chord Classic)ii–V–I (Jazz Cadence)12-Bar BluesI–vi–IV–V (Doo-Wop / "50s Progression")Canon Progression (Pachelbel)Andalusian CadenceRoyal Road Progression (IV–V–iii–vi)i–III–IV–VI ("House of the Rising Sun")I–vi–ii–V (Jazz "Rhythm Changes" Turnaround)I–IV–I–V (Country Two-Step)
Voicings in common keys
C major:Dm7G7Cmaj7
G major:Am7D7Gmaj7
F major:Gm7C7Fmaj7
When you hear this
Used in nearly every jazz standard. Learn this in all 12 keys before tackling jazz improvisation.
Songs above are from our catalog whose chord set contains all chords from one of the key realizations. Sorted by popularity.