The ii-V-I Progression — and How to Drill It in All 12 Keys

What is a ii-V-I?

A ii-V-I is built on the second, fifth and first degrees of a major scale. The ii is a minor 7th, the V is a dominant 7th, and the I is a major 7th. The dominant chord creates tension; the I resolves it. In C major:

1. ii Dm7 D – F – C minor 7th
2. V G7 G – B – F dominant 7th
3. I Cmaj7 C – E – B major 7th

Each shell voicing above is root–third–seventh. Tap a chord to see its full voicings.

Why drill it in all 12 keys?

Real tunes modulate. A single jazz standard can run ii-V-I figures through five or six keys. If you only know it in C, you freeze the moment the music moves. Drilling all 12 keys turns the progression into muscle memory, so you react instead of calculate.

Use rootless voicings once the shell shapes are solid — they sound fuller and free up your right hand for melody.

The fastest way to practice

1. Play the ii-V-I in C with shell voicings until it is effortless.
2. Move around the circle of fourths: C → F → B♭ → E♭ …
3. Switch to rootless A and B voicings for a professional sound.
4. Use the trainer’s weakness analysis to find your three slowest keys, then drill only those.