Here's an odd request, perhaps. Lots of popular and jazz tunes are based on the ii-V7-I progression or closely related variants to it. I'm looking for a melody that can work if accompanied entirely by ii-V7-I chords.

I'm getting familiar with various voicings of that progression and with using a tritone substitution within that progression. So I'm wanting to record myself playing a melody nice and slow to run on a loop while I try out my various voicings. What's a good melody to use?

>>for a melody that can work if accompanied entirely by ii-V7-I chords.
Autumn leaves. Major, then relative minor.

The tune "Tune Up" is all II-V-I's. There lots of others though especially if you reharmonize. That's a good place to start though.

The only tune I can think of that has ONLY ii-V-I's is.... Jeepers Creepers !!!

Even Autumn Leaves and Tune Up depart from that at some points, although they do come pretty close.

Pretty close too : Almost like being is love, Tea for Two. But not ONLY ii-V-I !

I'm sure I can find others with ONLY ii-V-I's.... gimme a few days!

Bangles, Baubles, and Beads

If we can count ii-V without the I, "Satin Doll" really emphasizes this ii-V motion, and although some of the ii-V's do not resolve, a few of them do in the bridge and at the ends of 'A' phrases.

Yes- and, Lover Man ! Isn't this fun ???

Check out Fly Me to the Moon (In Other Words). Not strictly ii-V7-I, but very close.

How High the Moon. Nice thing about this one is that you get ii-V-I's and ii-V-i's (minor) also.

Joy Spring (lots and lots of ii-V-I's in this puppy), and a little more challenging to play than How High the Moon.

BLUES FOR ALICE IN ALL KEYS - JUST DO IT ( :

For something in 3/4 time, try Bluesette. ii-V's and ii-V-I's everywhere!

Good one. I'll see your How High the Moon and raise you one bridge of Cherokee.

I'm all in with Honeysuckle Rose

Pent Up House solo section.

Shiny Stockings !

Also Blue Bossa, Solar, Afternoon in Paris, Have you Met Miss Jones, I Remember April, I Love You, What is this Thing called Love, Black Orpheus.

My teacher once asked me what the definition of a Jazz Standard was. I said something like it was a tune that had become part of the jazz literature. Then he said no, the definition of a jazz standard is major and minor ii-V-i's.

I like your definition better than your teacher's!

According to him, So What is not a jazz standard (no ii-V-I) ? And Caravan barely qualifies?

Afternoon in Paris. It's almost completely ii-V-Is.. there is a VI7 in there somewhere but that's it.

And by that definition most classical literature would be considered jazz then too wouldn't it?

Only if it swings.

Confirmation is ONLY 251's

Time Remembered.
not.