The Magic of ii–V–I: Why Jazz Doesn’t Need to Be Hard (Live Ukulele Lesson)

The Magic of ii–V–I: Why Jazz Doesn’t Need to Be Hard (Live Ukulele Lesson)

Jazz often has a reputation for being complicated, intimidating, or “only for advanced musicians”. But the truth is, much of jazz harmony is built on a few beautifully simple ideas — and once you understand them, everything starts to make sense.

One of the most important of these ideas is the ii–V–I chord progression.

If you’ve ever been told “ii–V–I sounds great” but never really shown why, you’re not alone. Many ukulele players encounter ii–V–I early on, but without the musical context that makes it feel friendly and logical. That’s exactly what this live lesson is designed to change.

What Is ii–V–I (and Why Does It Sound So Good)?

At its heart, a ii–V–I progression is simply three chords that naturally want to move together.

They share notes, they flow smoothly, and they create a feeling of movement followed by resolution — a sense of going somewhere and arriving. That’s why ii–V–I appears again and again in jazz standards, pop-jazz songs, and even music that doesn’t sound “jazzy” at first listen.

In this lesson, I’ll explain ii–V–I in plain, musical language — no jargon, no theory overload — so you can:

• Hear how the chords relate to each other

• Understand why they feel so satisfying

• Start recognising them in real songs

  
  

Learning Jazz Through a Song: From The Start by Laufey

Rather than teaching theory in isolation, we’ll explore ii–V–I through Laufey’s beautiful song From The Start.

It’s a perfect example of how modern jazz-influenced music uses classic harmony in a very accessible way. By learning this song together, you’ll see how:

• ii–V–I progressions are used musically, not academically

• Jazz harmony can feel emotional, warm, and expressive

• A small amount of understanding goes a long way

You don’t need to be a “jazz player” to enjoy this — curiosity is enough.

Who Is This Lesson For?

This live ukulele lesson is suitable for a wide range of players, including:

• Beginners who are curious about jazz but unsure where to start

• Intermediate players who’ve met ii–V–I before but want it to finally click

• Advanced players who want a clearer, more intuitive understanding

We’ll also finish with a live Q&A, so everyone can ask questions and learn at their own pace.

Live Lesson Details

📅 Wednesday 7th January 2026

🕒 3:30pm UK time

🎥 Replay available afterwards

📄 Worksheets included

Free for all Learn Ukulele members

Jazz Is About Relationships, Not Rules

Jazz theory doesn’t need to feel like a list of rules to memorise. When you understand how chords relate to one another — how they want to move — the music starts to feel natural and expressive.

That’s what this lesson is really about:making jazz feel human, musical, and approachable.

If ii–V–I has ever felt mysterious, this is a lovely place to begin.

🎓 Want more like this?Visit my website for 10 fully structured courses:👉 https://learnukulele.com

The Magic of ii–V–I: Why Jazz Doesn’t Need to Be Hard