Jazz Harmonic Minor Matrix

Jazz II-V-I Matrix In The Harmonic Minor Mode

You might want to read the article on the major II-V-I matrix before reading this. We’ll be using the C harmonic minor scale:

If we map out the diatonic 7th chords of this scale, we get:

Using these diatonic chords, we can use the following Harmonic Minor II-V-I matrix:

The II-V-I progression, in roman numerals, looks like this:

Once again, using this simple matrix, you can cycle through chords by starting on the II column (playing either the VI, ii, or iv), followed by a chord from the V column (V or vii), and then a chord from the I column (III, i, or the VI again).