II-V-I-VI

Description

The II-V-I-VI chord progression is one of the most important and commonly occurring sequences in jazz and pop music. It is a sequence of chords that often forms the basis of many jazz standards and popular songs. This progression consists of the following chords in a key: II – minor 7th chord, V – dominant chord, I – major 7th chord (tonic) , VI – subdominant chord (minor 7th chord).

The II-V-I-VI sequence provides a natural and harmonious transition through the circle of fifths, giving the piece stability and a clear harmonic structure. Practicing this progression is crucial for developing improvisational skills because it allows for an understanding of the relationship between the individual chords and finding interesting and appropriate notes to use during improvisation. Understanding and mastering the II-V-I-VI progression is essential for every jazz instrumentalist and forms the foundation of their harmonic and improvisational skills.