Piano · Level 6 · Intermediate

The minor ii–V–i on Piano

iiø7–V7♭9–i in all 12 keys.

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THE SHORT ANSWER

The minor ii–V–i uses a half-diminished ii and an altered V. It is the dark, dramatic cadence behind many jazz ballads and Latin tunes.

Choose a key

C minorDm7b5 · G7b9 · Cm · CmC♯ minorD♯m7b5 · G♯7b9 · C♯m · C♯mD minorEm7b5 · A7b9 · Dm · DmE♭ minorFm7b5 · B♭7b9 · E♭m · E♭mE minorF♯m7b5 · B7b9 · Em · EmF minorGm7b5 · C7b9 · Fm · FmF♯ minorG♯m7b5 · C♯7b9 · F♯m · F♯mG minorAm7b5 · D7b9 · Gm · GmG♯ minorA♯m7b5 · D♯7b9 · G♯m · G♯mA minorBm7b5 · E7b9 · Am · AmB♭ minorCm7b5 · F7b9 · B♭m · B♭mB minorC♯m7b5 · F♯7b9 · Bm · Bm

Listen first: C minor

Dm7b5

D half-diminished

Notes: D · F · A♭ · C

Left hand: D2
♭

G7b9

G dominant seventh flat nine

Notes: G · B · D · F · A♭

Left hand: G2
♭

Cm

C minor

Notes: C · E♭ · G

Left hand: C2
♭
1
Dm7b5
2
G7b9
3
Cm
4
Cm

Why it works

iiø7 and V7♭9 both come from the harmonic minor scale, which provides the raised leading tone.

On another instrument

The minor ii–V–i on Guitar →The minor ii–V–i on Ukulele →The minor ii–V–i on Mandolin →The minor ii–V–i on Banjo →The minor ii–V–i on Violin →The minor ii–V–i on Flute →

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