Imaj9–ii7 in C Major

Pattern: Imaj9 – ii7 Chords: Cmaj9 – Dm7

Chord Breakdown

Numeral	Chord	Type	Function
Imaj9	Cmaj9 (details)	major ninth	Tonic
ii7	Dm7 (details)	minor seventh	Supertonic

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through Cmaj9 (Tonic) → Dm7 (Supertonic).

The Imaj9–ii7 progression moves from the lush major ninth tonic to the smooth minor seventh on the second degree, setting up the classic jazz turnaround. The rich ninth chord establishes a spacious home base before the ii7 introduces gentle forward motion. This pairing is the opening of countless jazz and neo-soul tunes, creating an immediate sense of harmonic sophistication.

Song Examples

Misty — Erroll Garner
Don't Know Why — Norah Jones
Best Part — Daniel Caesar

Chord Details

Cmaj9 Dm7

More Progressions in C Major

I–IV–V–I I–V–vi–IV I–vi–IV–V ii–V–I I–IV–V I–♭VII–IV vi–IV–I–V I–V–vi–iii–IV–I–IV–V I–IV I–V IV–V IV–I

Related Progressions

Imaj9–IVmaj9 Imaj7–ii–V ii7–V7–Imaj7