Jazz lead sheet · Intermediate
ii–V–I Around the Circle of Fifths
Twelve major ii–V–Is, each a 5th below the last, walking the full circle back to C.
- Composer
- Practice drill
- Form
- 24 bars
- Key
- C major
- Style
- Swing
- Length
- 24 bars
AC majorF major
ii7D Dorian
V7G Mixolydian
Imaj7C Ionian
ii7G Dorian
V7C Mixolydian
Imaj7F Ionian
B♭ majorE♭ major
ii7C Dorian
V7F Mixolydian
Imaj7B♭ Ionian
ii7F Dorian
V7B♭ Mixolydian
Imaj7E♭ Ionian
A♭ majorD♭ major
ii7B♭ Dorian
V7E♭ Mixolydian
Imaj7A♭ Ionian
ii7E♭ Dorian
V7A♭ Mixolydian
Imaj7D♭ Ionian
G♭ majorB major
ii7A♭ Dorian
V7D♭ Mixolydian
Imaj7G♭ Ionian
ii7C♯ Dorian
V7F♯ Mixolydian
Imaj7B Ionian
E majorA major
ii7F♯ Dorian
V7B Mixolydian
Imaj7E Ionian
ii7B Dorian
V7E Mixolydian
Imaj7A Ionian
D majorG major
ii7E Dorian
V7A Mixolydian
Imaj7D Ionian
ii7A Dorian
V7D Mixolydian
Imaj7G Ionian
For students
What to notice
- Every key uses the same shape: minor 7 → dominant 7 → major 7.
- The roots fall in 5ths (C, F, B♭, E♭ …), the strongest and most common motion in tonal music.
- Each new ii chord is the previous tonic turned minor, so only one note changes between keys.
Practice plan
Three steps to improvising
- Play the guide-tone dyads in each key and watch how little the hand moves.
- Arpeggiate each ii–V–I starting on the 3rd instead of the root.
- Carry the drill around the whole circle without stopping, then reverse the direction.
For teachers
Using this chart in class
- Project the chart with Play along running and loop one section while students find the guide tones.
- Choose Practice → Name the numerals for a whole-class quiz: students vote, then reveal the explanation.
- Mixed ensemble? Print the worksheet once per transposition: B♭, E♭, F and bass clef parts all line up bar for bar.
- Share a link: the key, instrument and view you choose are saved in the address bar.
Chord changes are common performance versions written out by Music Theory Lessons. No melodies or lyrics are reproduced. Names of songs and composers are used only to identify each tune.