It is true that when you know your chords, they will in turn make a progression. For example, chords I, II, and V of any key are found in a II-VI chord progression. This 2-5-1 becomes the most common chord progression played in jazz. Jazz musicians know that 2-5-1 chords are the modes of the major scale. If you’re just starting out on the keyboard, while playing the songs in the key of C, remember that the II-VI progression will be Dm7, G7, and C major 7th. The steps of a major scale are numbered I through VII.

C=I
D = ii
my = iii
F=IV
G=V
A = saw
B=viii

The chord progression that moves from the ii chord, which is the second step of the scale, is often played like this: D and F (Dm7) which is the ii then goes to the V, GB (G chord).

Here is a chord chart I use to play this popular progression on the piano.

Dm7 = CC/DF

G = GB/D

C = C/CE 

When I’m playing a song in the bass clef, I look for the second, fifth, and first notes of the F major scale.

Here is a rule that will help you remember the pattern in all keys:

1. The II chord is always a minor seventh chord.

two. The V chord is always a dominant seventh chord.

3. The I chord is a major seventh chord.

So for the II-VI progression in the key of F, you’d play a G minor 7, C7, and F major 7th. A good understanding of how to play this progression in all keys will help you improvise fluently.

Here’s another tip. Play this particular progression with four bars to start with and then extend the progression to eight bars of music. That means a chord could be a bar or two long.

I love jazz and one of my favorites is Duke Ellington. He is considered one of the greatest composers of jazz music. He is famous for his swing music and incorporates the extended ii V chord progressions in many of his songs.

When I play The Duke Speaks, I use D/DF, then G/GB, and end with C/DEG.

We just mentioned this study of chord progression in major keys. Get comfortable learning the 2-5-1 chord progressions and then move on to the minor keys.