The II V I Progression
Once you know how to play scale tone 7th chords, the next step is using them to improvise over chord progressions within a key. One of the most common progressions used in Jazz is the II V I progression.
As the name implies, this progression begins on the second chord in the key (IIm7), progresses to the fifth (V7) and then progresses to the chord which the key is named from (Imaj7). A good way to become familiar with this (or any) progression is to record yourself playing the chords. The following example 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 Jazz player. You should now be doing it as a matter of course with everything you learn.
It is also common for II V I progressions to occur over two bars rather than four, as shown in the following example. As with the four bar version, practice running through the arpeggios and then improvising with them. Remember to do this in all keys.
