Understanding 2-5-1 Progressions

Let me start by showing you what chords correspond to each tone of a major scale:

1 tone – Major
2 tone – minor
3 tone – minor
4 tone – Major
5 tone – Major (dominant)
6 tone – minor
7 tone – Half Diminished

To understand the chart above, you must understand that each tone of a major scale has a chord that goes along with it. For example, the following is a C major scale:

(C — D — E — F — G — A — B — C)

Each tone above has a matching chord. Simply add the endings of the chart above to the scale as shown below:

C MAJOR
D MINOR
E MINOR
F MAJOR
G MAJOR / DOM
A MINOR
B HALF-DIMINISHED

To further understand progressions, let us number each chord:

1 = C Major
2 = D minor
3 = E minor
4 = F Major
5 = G dominant
6 = A minor
7 = B half – diminished
8 = C Major

Now, to create a 2-5-1 chord progression (or any numbered chord progression), simply take the 2, 5, and 1 chord out of the entire series of chords above. That is, we would not use the 3,4, 6, or 7th chord.

The 2 chord is D minor; the 5 chord is G dominant; and the 1 chord is C Major.

Here is the most basic 2-5-1 chord progression:

Dmin — Gdom — Cmaj

min = minor
dom = dominant
Maj = major

D minor chord = (D) + (F) + (A)

G dominant chord = (G) + (B) + (D) + (F)

C Major chord = (C) + (E) + (G)

Example: To play a D minor chord simply play all three of the notes shown above at the same time (D+F+A)

Progressions are just a way to get the harmony to support the melody. In any key if your melody sticks to the key you are in:

I chord will harmonize three notes, V chord will harmonize two additional notes and the IV chord will harmonize the remaining two notes. So the I IV V chords will harmonize every note in a given melody providing it stays in key.

You can replace the 2 chord for the 4 chord. So now we get the 2 5 1. You can expand the one chord if you are sitting on it for a while and can play different bass notes under to help create motion. That is where we get the 1 3 6 2 5 1.

The 6 chord and the 3 chord fill in for the 1 chord. And the 7 fills in for the 5 chord. The 6 chord can also lead to the 4 chord. All this may seem confusing but it all starts with the one chord, the 5 chord and the 4r chord.

If you just use these three chords you can play with most songs.

When you get more advance you can use the 2 5 1 as a little intro to each new chord you will play. So to introduce the one chord you play 2 5 and then 1. When you want to go to the four chord, you introduce it by playing a 2 5 1 in the key of the 4 chord.

So, if you were in the key of C and you want to go to the F, you introduce the F by playing G min7, C7 and Fmaj (2 5 1)

So, now you have it! 2 5 1 are derived from 4 5 1 and they have over time become embellishments and static chords to rest on to support the melody. For more educational music resources visit my website or stop by my blog!