The 2 5 1 Progression
Once you know how to play over scale tone 7th chords, the next step is to improvise over chord progressions which contain these chord types. One of the most common progressions used in Jazz is the 2 5 1 progression. As the name implies, this progression begins on the second chord in the key ( 2m7), progresses to the fifth ( 57) and then progresses to the chord which the key is named from ( 1maj7). A good way to become familiar with this (or any) progression is to have a friend play the chords on keyboard or guitar, or use a play-along CD and play the arpeggios of the chords over the backing. The example below shows this procedure in the key of C. Learn it in this key and then transpose it to all the other keys.
Once you are comfortable running through the arpeggios against the chords, try improvising with the arpeggios as shown here. Once again, learn this example and then transpose it to all keys. As stated earlier, this process is essential if you wish to become a good player. You should now be doing it as a matter of course with everything you learn.
Don’t forget to run through the appropriate modes for the progression and then improvising with them. This example demonstrates a line derived from the D Dorian, G Mixolydian and C Ionian modes, being conscious of chord tones at each change.
