• An Easier Way To Play The 2-5-1 Chord Progression Using Diminished Seventh Chords

    in Piano

    In this lesson, we’ll be focusing on how the 2-5-1 chord progression can be played using the diminished seventh chord.

    The 2-5-1 chord progression is arguably the strongest chord progression in music because it consists of the movement of root notes by a fifth interval.

    From the 2nd tone of the scale to the fifth tone is a fifth and so is the movement from the fifth tone to the first tone (more on this later).

    Due to the need of passing chords and dynamic chord progressions, the 2-5-1 chord progression has a special place in popular music styles like jazz and gospel music and that’s why we’re dedicating this lesson to learning how to play the 2-5-1 chord progression using diminished seventh chords.

    A Quick Review On The 2-5-1 Chord Progression

    A chord progression consists of the movement of chords from one tone of the scale to another. The numbers “2-5-1” are used to define the chords used in the chord progression, which are chord 2, chord 5, and chord 1.

    The Major 2-5-1 Chord Progression

    The major 2-5-1 chord progression is a chord progression in the major key. For example, in the key of C major:

    D is 2:

    G is 5:

    C is 1:

    Therefore a 2-5-1 chord progression moves from the D minor seventh chord:

    …to the G dominant seventh chord:

    …then to the C major seventh chord:

    Application Of Diminished Seventh Chords In 2-5-1 Chord Progressions

    I’m about to take you by the hand and show you step-by-step, how diminished seventh chords can be used to play 2-5-1 chord progressions.

    But before we do that, let’s go ahead and refresh our minds on diminished seventh chords.

    A Short Note On Diminished Seventh Chords

    A diminished seventh chord consists of a diminished triad and a diminished seventh interval. For example, the only diminished triad in the key of C major:

    …is the scale-tone chord of the seventh degree (which is the B diminished triad):

    The addition of a note that is a diminished seventh interval above the root of the chord (which is Ab):

    …produces the B diminished seventh chord:

    “Check Out All The Diminished Seventh Chords In The Key…”

    C diminished seventh chord:

    C# diminished seventh chord:

    D diminished seventh chord:

    D# diminished seventh chord:

    E diminished seventh chord:

    F diminished seventh chord:

    F# diminished seventh chord:

    G diminished seventh chord:

    G# diminished seventh chord:

    A diminished seventh chord:

    A# diminished seventh chord:

    B diminished seventh chord:

    Alright! Let’s proceed to learning how 2-5-1 chord progressions can be played using diminished seventh chords.

    Diminished Seventh Chords In Major 2-5-1 Chord Progressions

    The 2-5-1 chord progression consists of three chords: chord 2, chord 5, and chord 1. Chord 2 and chord 5 have the same chord quality: the dominant seventh flat ninth chord.

    Formation of Chord 2. Chord 2 can be formed by playing a diminished seventh chord that is a half-step above the root note of chord 2.

    On the second tone (which is D):

    …we can form the D dominant seventh [flat ninth] chord by playing a diminished seventh chord that is a half-step above D (which is the D# diminished seventh chord):

    So, the D# diminished seventh chord:

    …played over D:

    …produces the D dominant seventh [flat ninth] chord:

    …which is chord 2.

    Formation of Chord 5. Chord 5 can be formed by lowering the diminished seventh chord of chord 2 by a half-step.

    On the fifth tone (which is G):

    …we can form the G dominant seventh [flat ninth] chord by lowering the diminished seventh chord we previously derived (which is the D# diminished seventh chord):

    …by a half-step to the D diminished seventh chord:

    So, the D diminished seventh chord:

    …played over G:

    …produces the G dominant seventh [flat ninth] chord:

    …which is chord 5.

    Formation of Chord 1. Chord 1 can be formed by playing a major seventh chord on the first tone of the scale in the key you’re in.

    In the key of C major:

    …the first tone is C:

    …therefore, chord 1 is the C major seventh chord:

    …played over C in the bass.

    “Let’s Put This To Work In The Key Of Bb Major…”

    Chord 2:

    Chord 5:

    Chord 1:

    “Let’s Put This To Work In The Key Of E Major…”

    Chord 2:

    Chord 5:

    Chord 1:

    “Let’s Put This To Work In The Key Of G Major…”

    Chord 2:

    Chord 5:

    Chord 1:

    Final Words

    2-5-1 chord progressions can’t be easier with diminished seventh chords. Mastering these 2-5-1 progression in all the keys might take some time, however, it’s worth it.

    In a subsequent lesson, we’ll go further into the minor 2-5-1 chord progression.

    See you then!

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    Chuku Onyemachi

    Head of Education at HearandPlay Music Group
    Onyemachi "Onye" Chuku is a Nigerian musicologist, pianist, and author. Inspired by his role model (Jermaine Griggs) who has become his mentor, what he started off as teaching musicians in his Aba-Nigeria neighborhood in April 2005 eventually morphed into an international career that has helped hundreds of thousands of musicians all around the world. Onye lives in Dubai and is currently the Head of Education at HearandPlay Music Group and the music consultant of the Gospel Music Training Center, all in California, USA.




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