Ii-V-I turnaround

The ii-V-I turnaround, ii-V-I progression, or ii V I even ii V VIII, also known as the dominant cadence, is a common cadential chord progression used in a wide variety of music genres, especially jazz harmony. It is a succession of chords whose roots descend in fifths from the second degree, or supertonic, to the fifth degree, or dominant, and finally to the tonic. In a major key, the supertonic (ii) triad is minor, while in a minor key, this triad is diminished. The dominant chord is, in its most basic form, a major triad and, commonly, a dominant seventh chord. With the addition of chord alterations, substitutions, and extensions (most often sevenths), limitless variations exist on this simple formula.

ii-V-I has been used for a hundred years and is currently "a staple of virtually every type of popular music," including jazz, R&B, pop, rock, and country.Workman, Josh. "Chops: II-V-I Survival Tips", Guitar Player 37:4 (April 2003), p. 90. Examples include "Honeysuckle Rose" (1928), which, "features several bars in which the harmony goes back and forth between the II and V chords before finally resolving on the I chord," and "Satin Doll" (1953).

Jazz

ii-V-I progressions are extremely common in jazz. They serve two primary functions, which are often intertwined: to temporarily imply passing tonalities, and to lead strongly toward...
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