| II-V-I progressions are common in most types of | | | | In the key of C the roman numbers I stands for the |
| popular music and mainstream jazz and more. If you | | | | chord C, II indicates the chord D-minor and V the chord |
| can play II-V-I progressions you are in a lucky position. | | | | G. Simplified we can say that when I say I will play a |
| What then is a II-V-I progression? Well, come and see! | | | | II-V-I chord progression in the key of C I will play the |
| A C-major scale consists of seven notes: C D E F G | | | | chords D-minor, G and C. |
| A B | | | | Actually this is just the beginning of the art of playing |
| A C-major chord consists of the first, third and fifth | | | | II-V-I progressions. You can spice the chords in |
| notes in the C-major scale. This is called a triad. | | | | different ways and play the chords in major or minor. |
| A chord built from the first step of the scale can also | | | | And of course a chord on a piano can be played in |
| be called I from the roman number one. | | | | many different ways. A C-major chord must have the |
| If I start on the second note of the C-major scale and | | | | notes C, E and G but how many or where to play |
| construct a triad chord consisting of D F A, I have a | | | | them is a matter of choice. |
| chord built upon the second step of the scale. | | | | Here are a few easy examples of II-V-I progressions |
| This will be a D-minor chord and I can indicate that I | | | | in C-major that can be transposed to other keys: |
| have built a chord from the second note of the | | | | 1. Dm, G7, C |
| C-major scale by giving it the number II with roman | | | | 2. Dm7, G7, C |
| numbers. | | | | 3. D7, G7, C |
| If I decide to build a triad chord from the fifth note of | | | | When you practice these progressions on your piano |
| the C-major scale I have to add more notes in the | | | | you can choose to play them with both hands, with the |
| C-major scale: C D E F G A B C D | | | | left hand, giving room for right hand improvisation or |
| If I start building a triad from G it will consist of the | | | | your right hand, giving room for left hand bass playing |
| notes G B D. This is a G-major chord and to show | | | | or improvisation. |
| that it is a triad built from the fifth step of the C-major | | | | Practicing playing II-V-I progressions on your piano will |
| scale we can call it V which is the roman number for | | | | help you see the relationship between chords and |
| five. | | | | being able to play these progressions in different key |
| The smart thing with the roman numbers is that they | | | | will give you a tool that will help you recognize chord |
| don't indicate an absolute chord but rather the position | | | | progressions in songs you hear which will help you |
| of a chord in the key you are playing on your guitar, | | | | trancribe songs by ear. |
| piano or other instrument. | | | | |