Two-five-one · C major · ii–V–I
ii–V–I Cadence is a chord pattern you can play in any key. The degrees are ii–V–I.
The basic jazz cadence reduced to triads. The best way to learn by ear where tension goes and where it resolves.
Patterns are common chord moves. They are not the chart of a recorded hit.
Patterns are named by theory. Play them in any key that fits your voice.
Each song page has a chord chart, fingerings, and the same song in every key.
ii – V – I
Dm · G · C
| 1 | Dm | G | C | · |
|---|
Two chords build the tension and the third releases it, so put short words on the first two and let the last note fall long on the final chord. Turn it slowly at 60–80 BPM; the point is to hear where it resolves.
| Keys | Chord chart |
|---|---|
| C major · Written in this key | Dm · G · C |
| Db major | Ebm · Ab · Db |
| D major | Em · A · D |
| Eb major | Fm · Bb · Eb |
| E major | F#m · B · E |
| F major | Gm · C · F |
| F# major | G#m · C# · F# |
| G major | Am · D · G |
| Ab major | Bbm · Eb · Ab |
| A major | Bm · E · A |
| Bb major | Cm · F · Bb |
| B major | C#m · F# · B |
These songs use this pattern. This is not their chord chart: real recordings differ in key, rhythm and the chords they add.