ii7–V9–I in D♭ Major
Pattern: ii7 – V9 – I
Chords: Ebm7 – A♭9 – D♭
Chord Breakdown
| Numeral | Chord | Type | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| ii7 | Ebm7 (details) | minor seventh | Supertonic |
| V9 | A♭9 (details) | dominant ninth | Dominant |
| I | D♭ (details) | major | Tonic |
Harmonic Analysis
This progression moves through Ebm7 (Supertonic) → A♭9 (Dominant) → D♭ (Tonic).
The ii7–V9–I progression upgrades the classic jazz cadence with extended chord voicings: a minor seventh on ii and a dominant ninth on V. These extensions add richness and color while preserving the fundamental ii–V–I harmonic function. This is the standard cadence voicing in modern jazz, funk, and R&B, where bare triads would sound thin and the extensions provide the expected fullness.
Song Examples
- What's Going On — Marvin Gaye
- So What — Miles Davis
- Superstition — Stevie Wonder