Learn › The 2-5-1 Chord Progression (ii-V-I)
New Released in April 2026
The 2-5-1 Chord Progression (ii-V-I)
The 2-5-1 chord progression (ii-V-I) in C is Dm7 – G7 – Cmaj7. The most common cadence in jazz, here with seventh chords. Below it is written out in all 12 keys, for piano and guitar.
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- MIDI keyboard
- Digital or acoustic piano
- Guitar
- Computer, phone or tablet
The 2-5-1 progression in all 12 keys
| Key | Chords |
|---|---|
| C major | Dm7 – G7 – Cmaj7 |
| D flat major | Ebm7 – Ab7 – Dbmaj7 |
| D major | Em7 – A7 – Dmaj7 |
| E flat major | Fm7 – Bb7 – Ebmaj7 |
| E major | F#m7 – B7 – Emaj7 |
| F major | Gm7 – C7 – Fmaj7 |
| F sharp major | G#m7 – C#7 – F#maj7 |
| G major | Am7 – D7 – Gmaj7 |
| A flat major | Bbm7 – Eb7 – Abmaj7 |
| A major | Bm7 – E7 – Amaj7 |
| B flat major | Cm7 – F7 – Bbmaj7 |
| B major | C#m7 – F#7 – Bmaj7 |
How 2-5-1 looks on the keys
Pick the nearest shape of each chord: most fingers stay where they are.
2-5-1 exercises
- Play it in C, four slow beats per chord, saying each name.
- Then take it to G and F, and on to the harder keys.
- Repeat until the changes need no thought, then go faster.
Make 2-5-1 automatic
Type Dm7 – G7 – Cmaj7 into ChordRunner and it loops while you play it on a MIDI keyboard, or a piano or guitar by microphone (advanced feature in ChordRunner Premium).
Play the demoCommon questions
What is the 2-5-1 chord progression?
It is the chords built on degrees ii-V-I of a key. In C: Dm7 – G7 – Cmaj7; in G: Am7 – D7 – Gmaj7.
How do I play 2-5-1 on piano and guitar?
Find the key, take its chords ii-V-I, and use the nearest shape of each chord. On guitar, Dm7 – G7 – Cmaj7 uses easy shapes in C.
Can I loop the 2-5-1 progression while I practise?
Yes. In ChordRunner you type a progression and it loops while you play on a USB MIDI keyboard, or a piano or guitar through the microphone (advanced feature in ChordRunner Premium).
Which key is easiest for 2-5-1?
On the piano, C major: its chords use 0 black keys in total. The hardest is D flat major, with 9. Start easy, then move to the others.
Your instrument is the controller.
ChordRunner is a browser game that teaches piano and guitar chords: a chord appears on screen, you play it on a real instrument, and your runner jumps. MIDI keyboard or microphone, both work.
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