Jazz Progressions

Jazz Progressions are based on a II-V-I progression. The II-V-I sounds the jazziest with seventh chords. As you already know from past lessons, the II chord is a minor chord, the V chord is a dominant chord, and the I chord is a major chord. So the most basic Jazz progression is the II minor 7 - V dominant 7 - I major 7. Let's look at it in the key of C. The chords are D minor 7 - G7 - C major 7. These are the main chords of the progression.
Here are a few examples of a II-V-I in the key of C. Try playing these examples and you will see the jazzy sound that they give. (Note: The X's do not represent muted notes)

Jazz Progressions

Jazz Progressions