Jazz piano has three components - the bassline, chords (middle register), and the melody. Your left hand covers basslines while your right hand covers melodies in the treble registers, but both hands need to be able to grasp chords to accompany yourself as well as other performers.

The ii-V-I progression is one of the most common chord progressions in jazz standards. A "Two-Five-One" progression literally means you play three chords in succession:

• The first chord begins on the second degree of the scale (ii, "two chord")
• The second chord begins on the fifth degree of the scale (V, "five chord")
• The last chord begins on the first degree of the scale (I, "one chord")

For example, in C major, the ii-V-I progression would be Dmin7 (two), G7 (five), CMaj7 (one).

ii V I's in all 12 keys - Download

• This is a sample of my sheet music guide to learning ii-V-I's in all 12 keys  
• The treble clef includes each corresponding scale per chord, while the bass clef contains chord voicings demonstrating 'voice leading'.

Brittany Anjou teaches Piano, Vibraphone & Gyil at Brooklyn Music Lessons.