II–V–I generator
About this app
Hear II–V–I progressions in every key and follow animated guide-tone voice leading from the seventh to the third.
The key cadence of jazz
The ii–V–I links the second, fifth and first degrees of a key: in C major, Dm7, G7 and Cmaj7. The roots fall by fifths; the dominant builds tension and the tonic releases it. The sound of each chord is carried by its guide tones, the third and seventh. At each change the seventh falls a semitone into the next chord’s third (7→3), while the third stays put and becomes the new seventh. In minor the progression is iiø–V7–i, in C minor for example Dm7♭5, G7alt and Cm(maj7).
What the app shows
Three chords stand as nodes in space; lines connect their guide tones, a highlighted voice shows the 7→3 resolution and held notes are marked as common tones. A score panel writes the progression on a treble staff. You pick one of twelve keys, major or minor and a tempo between 50 and 160 BPM; playback uses a shell voicing of third and seventh with the root in the bass.
What to listen for
Play the cadence slowly first and follow only the top line: it either moves by a semitone or stays still. Then listen to the bass falling in fifths. Switch between major and minor and compare the colour of the dominant. Transpose to several keys: the pattern of held note and half step is the same everywhere.
Frequently asked questions
- What is a ii–V–I progression?
- A ii–V–I is the chord sequence from the second through the fifth to the first degree of a key, in C major Dm7–G7–Cmaj7. The roots move down by fifths and the dominant G7 resolves to the tonic. It is the most common cadence in jazz and appears in many standards in changing keys.
- What are guide tones?
- Guide tones are the third and the seventh of a chord. They decide whether a chord sounds major, minor or dominant, and at chord changes they often move by just a semitone or stay where they are. Playing or improvising on guide tones alone already makes the harmony audible.
- What does a minor ii–V–i look like?
- In minor the ii chord is half-diminished and the dominant is usually altered: in C minor Dm7♭5–G7–Cm, often with G7♭9 or G7alt and a tonic such as Cm6 or Cm(maj7). The 7→3 voice leading works just as in major.
- What can I do in this app?
- You choose a key, major or minor and a tempo and hear the ii–V–I as a shell voicing with bass. The 3D view and the score panel show how the third and seventh are led from chord to chord.
Subject: Jazz harmony
More from Jazz harmony
- Chord builder
- Bebop scale
- Blues forms
- Coltrane changes
- Frequency spiral
- Interval trainer
- Sing the line: solfège
- Modal interchange
A VisuApp by heyprof: interactive, free in your browser, no sign-up. What is a VisuApp? · All apps