Improvisation Ideas: What is a II-V-I?

The II-V-I is the most important chord sequence in jazz. This video lays out the II-V-I in a major key simply and clearly. We look at the different types of chords; the reason for the sequence; and the role each of the three chords plays.
There are plenty of examples, building II-V and II-V-I progressions in different ways. The video includes an analysis of the jazz standard Just Friends to see how the II-V sequences work, and then there are pointers around improvising on a straightforward II-V-I using my jam tracks.
00:07 Intro
01:30 A Bit of Bach
03:35 Diatonic Chords
04:36 Adding Sevenths
05:49 Chord V and the Tritone
07:40 The Circle of Fifths
09:57 How a II-V-I is Used
13:05 Using a II-V-I to Support a Melody
16:31 Analysis of 'Just Friends'
20:36 Improvising Over a II-V-I
23:45 Jam Track in C Major
If you want to get to grips with basic music theory, take a look at my 'Soundbites' series, a step-by-step guide to scales, chords, intervals, and all sorts of musical elements and terms you'll come across: • Soundbites: Music Theory
By the way:
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