Who this is for
Learners who know their seventh chords and Roman numerals. Already comfortable with jazz harmony? Test out on Day 7.
Best done after: Seventh Chords, Suspended & Colour Chords, Chord Progressions. It is advice, not a rule: every lesson has short "rusty on…?" boxes for anything you skipped.
Why learn this
Jazz harmony looks complicated, but it runs on a small number of ideas, and the ii–V–I is the biggest of them. Once you can hear and build it in any key, a large share of standards stops being mysterious.
This program builds the ii–V–I in major and minor, shows why it works (guide tones moving by half steps), then adds extensions, turnarounds and the tritone substitution.
What you will be able to do
- The major ii–V–I with seventh chords
- The minor ii–V–i and the half-diminished chord
- Guide tones: the 3rd and 7th that carry the harmony
- Extensions: 9ths and 13ths on the same chords
- Turnarounds (I–vi–ii–V)
- The tritone substitution
The 7-day plan
- The major ii–V–I. Build and recognise ii7 – V7 – Imaj7 in any key.
- The minor ii–V–i. Build and recognise iiø7 – V7 – i in minor keys.
- Guide tones. Follow the 3rd and 7th through a progression.
- Extensions. Add 9ths (and know about 13ths) to the chords.
- Turnarounds. Recognise the I–vi–ii–V turnaround.
- Tritone substitution. Understand why a dominant can be swapped for the one a tritone away.
- Test day. Prove you can read and build jazz chords in any key.
How each session works
Every day follows the shape of a workout. It starts with a warm-up that reviews earlier days, then technique: a short, plain explanation with a small interactive tool to try it on. Then come the working sets, drills with instant feedback, and a finisher, a short test with a pass mark so you only build on things you can do. A cool-down recaps the day and previews the next.
Choose your split
The daily split is a session a day: done in a week. The easy split is a session every other day, with rest days between: two weeks, and a gentler pace. On your own pace there is no schedule. Nothing is ever locked, and you can change split at any time.
What comes next
Secondary Dominants and Borrowed Chords: The 7-Day Program. See the whole training plan.
Frequently asked questions
What is a ii–V–I?
A three-chord progression that falls by fifths: ii7 (Dm7), V7 (G7), then Imaj7 (Cmaj7) in C. It is the most important progression in jazz.
What are guide tones?
The 3rd and 7th of each chord. They define the chord's quality and move by half or whole steps between chords, which gives the smoothest voice leading.
What is a tritone substitution?
Replacing a dominant 7th chord with the dominant 7th a tritone away. G7 becomes D♭7: both share the same 3rd and 7th, with the roles swapped.
Do I need to play an instrument?
No, but a piano or guitar helps you hear it. The widgets in the lessons play each progression.