♭II–I in C Major

Pattern: ♭II – I Chords: D♭ – C

Chord Breakdown

Numeral	Chord	Type	Function
♭II	D♭ (details)	major	Supertonic
I	C (details)	major	Tonic

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through D♭ (Supertonic) → C (Tonic).

The tritone substitution replaces the dominant V with a chord a tritone away, creating a smooth half-step resolution to the tonic. This two-chord motion is one of the most distinctive sounds in jazz harmony.

Song Examples

The Girl from Ipanema — Antonio Carlos Jobim
Round Midnight — Thelonious Monk

Chord Details

D♭ C

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