Master ii-V-I Chord Progressions In 5 Steps

ii-V-I chord progressions are by far the most common chord progressions found in jazz standards.

And so, we need to be able to play them forwards, backwards and have a really good stronghold over improvising over them.

So, in today's video, I want to go over my 5-step process for practicing ii-V-I chord progressions and over time, mastering them.

If you want to dig deeper into jazz harmony and improvise over jazz standards better, check out my two eBooks:

💥Important Links and Resources💥

Further reading:

[scottmunson]

As a classical musician, I feel like a very small child watching these videos. But they are enormously helpful in unlocking for me what was always a very closed door... or, to change the metaphor. providing a road map to a very much undiscovered country. Big thanks! Sincerely, Just Another Little Lamb/Clarinetist Lost in the Woods

[roystongaynor]

Thanks a lot. voice leading will help me a lot with smoother piano progressions. Clear and audible explanation

[modernmusicstudio]

I like the process you have for learning the 2-5-1 progression! The way you break it up makes it easy to follow and easy to understand. Great job!

[theblueshopper]

Wauw, I'm a simple blues guy, interested in jazz and that was a great help! Now I go practicing! Thanks man!!✌🎶

[duncanwilson]

Everybody watching this: All the Things You Are, On Green Dolphin Street, How High the Moon, It Could Happen to You, What is This Thing Called Love, Bye Bye Blackbird, literally any other standard.
Brent: THERE WILL NEVER BE ANOTHER YOU

[gohoc]

Love dat voice leading.Sounds as Mr Sandman which ends on the 6 note.
🙏

[Thetonetemple.]

Hey thank you for this wow! I’ve had years of theory but that was years ago. I still play jazz piano but I have to say your style of explanation is so incredibly comprehensively built and easy to understand my God in heaven. I’m super grateful for you thank you my teacher will be too! Ha ha

[lifelemonswhenlifegivesule]

Thanks for this straightforward explanation. It opens up my mind to a lot of things. Can't wait to practice!

[rrpancho]

I am now understand what’s the 2-5-1 related to the piece, thanks bro, you are my Jazz standard teacher, .. I already subscribed and following, thanks again.

[lawrencetaylor]

Merci for this. I'm a piano Noobie that never knew music theory. I'm learning 2-5-1 now, but I'd really like to learn the fingering and the voicings. You just reinforced my quest, and even though you were playing that funny looking thing with strings, it really helped motivate me on my quest.

[nathanaelhowe]

This was so comprehensive, easy to understand and really helpful. I'll be using this with my students. Thanks mate!

[brainstrogaming]

This was so helpful! Thank you for making so simple, clear, and concise! Bravo!

[kels]

Great lesson and super usable. Can I ask you and the group, which would be 3 tunes thats have great 2 5 1 solo examples using voice leading and enclosures? Thanks again for a great lesson.

[oscardakota]

Great job, Brent. I do it like this, but also consider I am in a key, let’s say, C, so I can play melodies in C, emphasizing the 2-5-1 chord tones of course. Thanks!

[tartuttest]

nice supplement to Abersold Volume 3 (for piano practice of the progression in all 12 piano voicing)

[jazzman_]

Best video I have seen lately with real valuable info. 👍

[jstringer]

I've played 2-5-1s all my life ...I don't read music, so this IS like rocket science. The progression has always just seemed normal to my ear. BTW...still watching

[HolyJukebox]

Incredibly good lesson, good job man!

[albertrd.]

I like to practice my walking bass lines over 2-5-1 and other progressions using bass backing Tracks.

[ezrakowadlo]

I've been using iReal Pro, it has exercises on this topic.