ABSTRACT
A discussion of guide tones, secondary dominant 7ths, diminished 7th chords and their subsequent voice-leading transformations, further amplifies the importance of the progression. This chapter discusses the principles of jazz harmonic syntax more evident and its grammatical rules more explicit than in the structure and behavior of the II–V–I progression. The evolution of the progression offers a fascinating journey through jazz history. Intricate chromatic variants began to infiltrate the structure of harmonic progressions making improvisation more challenging. As the Post Bop Era rolled in, artists such as Miles Davis, Horace Silver, Lennie Tristano, and many others found new and ingenious ways to implement the progression in their music. The sheer number of harmonic transformations that jazz musicians have been able to implement is truly remarkable and proves the progression's flexibility in adjusting to various jazz styles. In order to explore the full potential of the diminished 7th chord, these progressions will be first deconstructed to their individual members.
