A chord progression (also chord sequence and harmonic progression or sequence), as its name implies, is a series of chords played in order. Chord progressions are central to most modern European-influenced music and the principal study of harmony. Compare to a simultaneity succession. A chord change is a movement from one chord to another and may be thought of as either the most basic chord progression or as a portion of longer chord progressions which involve more than two chords. ii-V-I is a very common chord progression used in a wide variety of music genres. It is a succession of chords whose roots descend in fifths from the supertonic to the dominant and finally to the tonic. In a major key, the supertonic (II) triad is minor, while in a minor key, this triad is diminished. The dominant chord is, in its most basic form, a major triad and, commonly, a dominant chord. With the addition of chord alterations and extensions (most often sevenths), limitless variations exist on this simple formula. ii-V-I progressions are extremely common in jazz. They serve two primary functions, which are often intertwined: to temporarily imply passing tonalities, and to lead strongly toward a goal (the "I" chord). In jazz, the II is typically played as a minor 7th chord, and the I is typically played as a major 7th chord (though it can also be played as a major 6th chord). The iim7-V7-Imaj7 progression provides smooth voice leading between the thirds and sevenths of these chords; the third of one chord becomes the seventh of the next chord, and the seventh of one chord moves down a half-step to become the third of the next chord. For example, in the key of C, the standard jazz II-V-I progression is Dm7-G7-Cmaj7, and the thirds and sevenths of these chords are F-C, B-F, E-B; inverted for smoother voice leading, these become F-C, F-B, E-B. |
The II-V-I Progression Rhythm changes solo (fast) - basic chord progression on screen |
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