ii–V–I: ii7–V7–Imaj7–Imaj7
Jazz’s favourite move, and the secret behind Fly Me to the Moon and Sunday Morning.
Loads it as a song you can change, extend and write lyrics to. Your own song is kept.
Songs you know
Where you’ve heard it
Real recordings that use it, with the chords as they’re played on the record and the easiest way to play along.
Sunday Morning
Maroon 5 · 2004Verse · ChorusAs recorded, in C majorDm7 – G7 – Cmaj7Open chords, no capo neededShapes you play Loads Spotify’s player, which may set cookies.Play these chords in the Chord Map →Satin Doll
Duke Ellington · 1953ChorusAs recorded, in C majorDm7 – G7Open chords, no capo neededShapes you play Fly Me to the Moon
Frank Sinatra · 1964VerseAs recorded, in C majorAm7 – Dm7 – G7 – C – FOpen chords, no capo neededShapes you play Loads Spotify’s player, which may set cookies.Play these chords in the Chord Map →I Will Survive
Gloria Gaynor · 1978ChorusAs recorded, in C majorAm – Dm7 – G – Cmaj7 – Fmaj7Open chords, no capo neededShapes you play Loads Spotify’s player, which may set cookies.Play these chords in the Chord Map →Still Got the Blues
Gary Moore · 1990IntroAs recorded, in C majorDm – G7 – Cmaj7 – Fmaj7 – B°Open chords, no capo neededShapes you play Loads Spotify’s player, which may set cookies.Play these chords in the Chord Map →You Never Give Me Your Money
The Beatles · 1969IntroAs recorded, in C majorAm7 – Dm7 – G7 – Dm7 – Cmaj7Open chords, no capo neededShapes you play Loads Spotify’s player, which may set cookies.Play these chords in the Chord Map →
Why it works
Why it feels like this
Each chord’s root falls a fifth to the next (D, G, C): the strongest pull in harmony. The ii prepares, the V7 builds tension with its leading tone, and the Imaj7 lands softly. Start one step earlier on the vi and you have the circle progression, the backbone of countless standards and disco hits.
- Dm7 → G7ThickeningIn the key
The root falls a fifth toward the dominant. It’s the engine of jazz and pop turnarounds.
- G7 → Cmaj7Bright resolutionHome
G7 contains the key’s leading tone, which wants to rise a half step to Cmaj7. It’s the strongest pull in music: a full stop.
- Cmaj7 → Dm7Step outIn the key
Cmaj7 and Dm7 share one note (C), which keeps the move connected.
Make it yours
Same idea, your song
The fastest way not to sound like everyone else: change one thing. Each idea opens in the Chord Map, ready to play.
Start one step earlier
Begin on the vi: the full circle of fifths progression.
Try it →Am7 – Dm7 – G7 – Cmaj7vi7–ii7–V7–Imaj7Minor ii–V–i
The half-diminished ii and a major V into a minor home.
Try it →Bm7♭5 – E7 – Am – Amiiø7–V7–i–iA minorThe turnaround
I–vi–ii–V: the loop at the end of countless standards.
Try it →Cmaj7 – Am7 – Dm7 – G7Imaj7–vi7–ii7–V7The full circle
Seven chords, each falling a fifth: the Autumn Leaves journey.
Try it →Cmaj7 – Fmaj7 – Bm7♭5 – Em7 – Am7 – Dm7 – G7 – Cmaj7Imaj7–IVmaj7–viiø7–iii7–vi7–ii7–V7–Imaj7
On the guitar
In five guitar keys
The keys a guitar likes best. Pick the one that suits your voice, or put on a capo.
In C major
Open in the Chord Map →In G major
Open in the Chord Map →In D major
Open in the Chord Map →In A major
Open in the Chord Map →In E major
Open in the Chord Map →
Questions
Questions about ii–V–I
Quick answers about temperaments, instruments, accuracy, and what actually runs on your Mac.
What are the ii–V–I chords in C?
Dm7–G7–Cmaj7. In G: Am7–D7–Gmaj7. In minor: Bm7♭5–E7–Am.Why is ii–V–I so important in jazz?
Most standards are chains of ii–V–Is moving through different keys. Recognise them and you can follow, and improvise over, almost any tune.What is the circle progression?
vi–ii–V–I (Am–Dm–G–C): roots falling in fifths. Extend it and you get Fly Me to the Moon and I Will Survive.
Keep exploring