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Jazz

Jazz ii-V-I

C#m7 · F#7 · B · B

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C#m7
ii7
F#7
V7
B
I
B
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Jazz ii-V-I in B major

Jazz ii-V-I is ii7 · V7 · I · I. In B major that is C#m7, F#7, B. The most fundamental jazz cadence with 7th chords. Loop those chords in order. The same pattern works in any major key.

Songs that use this

  • All the Things You Are · Jerome Kern
  • Autumn Leaves · Nat King Cole

Why it works

In B major this loop is C#m7, F#7, B (ii7 · V7 · I · I). I is the home chord. V pulls away from home and wants to resolve. Play the chords in order and the pattern is easy to hear on ukulele.

Chords in B major

Jump to each shape used in this loop.

C#m7F#7B

Try in other keys

Same Roman numerals; chords transpose with the key.

C major → Dm7 · G7 · C · CD major → Em7 · A7 · D · DE major → F#m7 · B7 · E · EF major → Gm7 · C7 · F · FG major → Am7 · D7 · G · GA major → Bm7 · E7 · A · AB major → C#m7 · F#7 · B · B

Related progressions

Jazz TurnaroundJazz ProgressionBossa NovaBossa Turnaround

Frequently asked questions

What is the Jazz ii-V-I ukulele chord progression?

Jazz ii-V-I is the ii7–V7–I–I chord loop. In B major that is C#m7, F#7, and B. The most fundamental jazz cadence with 7th chords.

What do the roman numerals mean in Jazz ii-V-I?

Roman numerals mark each chord's role in the key, not fixed chord names. Uppercase is major, lowercase is minor. Jazz ii-V-I uses ii7–V7–I–I. Change the key and the roles stay; the chord names move with it. In B major you play C#m7, F#7, B.

How do you practice Jazz ii-V-I on ukulele?

Loop C#m7, F#7, and B. Change on the first beat of each bar and keep the strum steady. If one change is hard, practice that pair slowly, then play the full loop again.

What songs use the Jazz ii-V-I progression?

Songs built on Jazz ii-V-I include All the Things You Are, and Autumn Leaves.

Why do so many songs use the same chords?

Jazz ii-V-I (ii7–V7–I–I) is one of the most reused patterns in Jazz and beyond. Writers come back to it because the roles are strong: home, departure, pull, and contrast. It supports almost any melody and still feels complete when you loop it. Same functions, different songs.

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