Jazz Guitar Licks For Beginners

The II-V-I sequence is the most common chord progression played in jazz music and a must know for any guitarist who wants to learn jazz language.

The II, the V and the I (chords and scales) are constructed based on the corresponding second (II), fifth (V) and first (I) step of the major scale.

In this guitar lesson you will learn what’s the 2 5 1 progression and how to play easy jazz lines over a 2-5-1 using the most common scales found in jazz music.

The II V I progression consists of three basic chords constructed on each degree of the C major scale.

The chord corresponding to the first degree is a major seventh chord (CM7), the chord corresponding to the second degree is a minor seventh chord (Dm7) and the chord corresponding to the fifth degree is a dominant seventh chord (G7).

These chords are essential for a first approach. When they are grouped together they form what we call the II-V-I progression.

10 II V I Guitar Licks
Here are 10 II-V-I jazz guitar lines in the key of C. using the scales previously discussed. Please note that these lines are focused on the II | V progression. Major lines are not very developed in this Post.

1. D Dorian over Dm7.
2. G Mixolydian with a passing tone (b5) over G7.
3. Ending on the root of CM7

• D Dorian with passing tones over Dm7.
• G Mixolydian with passing tones over G7
• Ending on the fifth of CM7