These Exercises Will Help You To Master The Major 2-5-1 Chord Progression In All Keys

This lesson is for intermediate keyboard players who want to master the major 2-5-1 chord progression in all keys.

In a previous lesson, we’ve already established it that 95% of the time, songs end with the 2-5-1 chord progression and we’ve also learned a variety of approaches to the 2-5-1 chord progression in the major key.

But today, we’re focusing on how the major 2-5-1 chord progression can be mastered using ninth chords and we’ll be accomplishing that using four exercises that I’ll show you.

But before we go into what we have for today, let’s refresh our minds on the 2-5-1 chord progression.

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

The major 2-5-1 chord progression is basically a harmonic movement of the following scale tone chords:

The 2-chord

The 5-chord

The 1-chord

…from the 2-chord to the 5-chord, then the 1-chord in the major key.

Attention: Keep in mind that the 2-5-1 chord progression in the minor key is called the minor 2-5-1 chord progression.

In the key of C major:

…the major 2-5-1 can be played with the following ninth chords:

The D minor ninth chord:

…which is the 2-chord.

The G dominant ninth chord:

…which is the 5-chord.

The C major ninth chord:

…which is the 1-chord.

Using the exercises we’ll cover in the next segment, I’ll show you how you can master the major 2-5-1 chord progression in all the keys using ninth chords.

Exercises For Mastering The Major 2-5-1 Chord Progression

If the exercises covered in this segment are thoroughly practiced, I guarantee you that you’ll definitely master the 2-5-1 chord progression in all the keys.

Exercise #1

Background: This exercise has seven parts and if properly mastered covers 50% of all the major 2-5-1 chord progressions on the keyboard. You’re expected to play through all the parts (7 of them) without stopping.

Harmonic Rhythm: The 2-chord and 5-chord should be played for 2 counts each, and the 1-chord for 4-counts.

First Part – Major 2-5-1 Chord Progression In The Key Of C Major

The 2-chord (2 counts):

The 5-chord (2 counts):

The 1-chord (4 counts):

Second Part – Major 2-5-1 Chord Progression In The Key Of Bb Major

The 2-chord (2 counts):

The 5-chord (2 counts):

The 1-chord (4 counts):

Third Part – Major 2-5-1 Chord Progression In The Key Of Ab Major

The 2-chord (2 counts):

The 5-chord (2 counts):

The 1-chord (4 counts):

Fourth Part – Major 2-5-1 Chord Progression In The Key Of Gb Major

The 2-chord (2 counts):

The 5-chord (2 counts):

The 1-chord (4 counts):

Fifth Part – Major 2-5-1 Chord Progression In The Key Of E Major

The 2-chord (2 counts):

The 5-chord (2 counts):

The 1-chord (4 counts):

Sixth Part – Major 2-5-1 Chord Progression In The Key Of D Major

The 2-chord (2 counts):

The 5-chord (2 counts):

The 1-chord (4 counts):

Seventh Part – Major 2-5-1 Chord Progression In The Key Of C Major

The 2-chord (2 counts):

The 5-chord (2 counts):

The 1-chord (4 counts):

Exercise #2

Background: The goal of this second exercise is to get you exposed to the major 2-5-1 chord progression in other six remainder keys. You’re expected to play through all the parts (7 of them) without stopping.

Harmonic Rhythm: The 2-chord and 5-chord should be played for 2 counts each, and the 1-chord for 4-counts.

First Part – Major 2-5-1 Chord Progression In The Key Of Db Major

The 2-chord (2 counts):

The 5-chord (2 counts):

The 1-chord (4 counts):

Second Part – Major 2-5-1 Chord Progression In The Key Of B Major

The 2-chord (2 counts):

The 5-chord (2 counts):

The 1-chord (4 counts):

Third Part – Major 2-5-1 Chord Progression In The Key Of A Major

The 2-chord (2 counts):

The 5-chord (2 counts):

The 1-chord (4 counts):

Fourth Part – Major 2-5-1 Chord Progression In The Key Of G Major

The 2-chord (2 counts):

The 5-chord (2 counts):

The 1-chord (4 counts):

Fifth Part – Major 2-5-1 Chord Progression In The Key Of F Major

The 2-chord (2 counts):

The 5-chord (2 counts):

The 1-chord (4 counts):

Sixth Part – Major 2-5-1 Chord Progression In The Key Of Eb Major

The 2-chord (2 counts):

The 5-chord (2 counts):

The 1-chord (4 counts):

Seventh Part – Major 2-5-1 Chord Progression In The Key Of Db Major

The 2-chord (2 counts):

The 5-chord (2 counts):

The 1-chord (4 counts):

Final Words

The exercises are designed to help you play the major 2-5-1 chord progression in all the keys using ninth chords.

Go ahead and print out the chords and start practicing. And if you have questions, comments, and suggestions, feel free to add them in the comment section.

All the best.

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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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