I–vi–ii–V chord progression
Songwriter turnaround — I–vi–ii–V · also called the 1–6–2–5
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4.7 · 6 ratingsI–vi–ii–V chord progression — how it works
The I–vi–ii–V progression replaces the IV of the doo-wop loop with the ii chord, so the bass walks down and the last two chords form a ii–V that pulls hard back to the tonic — the standard turnaround of the Great American Songbook.
It moves from the tonic (I) to the submediant (vi) to the supertonic (ii) to the dominant (V) and then repeats. Each chord lasts 4 beats, so one pass of the 4 chords is 4 bars of 4/4.
In C major the chords are C – Am – Dm – G; in G major they are G – Em – Am – D. Press play above to hear the progression, then pick the key that fits your voice or your song and set the tempo you want to practise at.
I–vi–ii–V in every key
The numerals stay the same; only the chords change. Find your key below, or pick it in the player above to hear it.
| Key | Chords |
|---|---|
| C major | C – Am – Dm – G |
| D♭ major | D♭ – B♭m – E♭m – A♭ |
| D major | D – Bm – Em – A |
| E♭ major | E♭ – Cm – Fm – B♭ |
| E major | E – C♯m – F♯m – B |
| F major | F – Dm – Gm – C |
| F♯ major | F♯ – D♯m – G♯m – C♯ |
| G major | G – Em – Am – D |
| A♭ major | A♭ – Fm – B♭m – E♭ |
| A major | A – F♯m – Bm – E |
| B♭ major | B♭ – Gm – Cm – F |
| B major | B – G♯m – C♯m – F♯ |
Songs that use it
Well-known songs built on this progression, at least in the section each is known for. Each title opens its sheet music on MuseScore.
- Blue Moon — Richard Rodgers
- Heart and Soul — Hoagy Carmichael
See scores on MuseScore
What musicians say
- 5★5
- 4★0
- 3★1
- 2★0
- 1★0
クラシック～ジャズまでキーをC（ハ長調・ハ短調）でいくつものパターンを見聞きしましたが、とても分かり易くて良かった。
Frequently asked questions
- What chords are in the I–vi–ii–V progression in C major?
- In C major the I–vi–ii–V progression is C – Am – Dm – G. The same numerals give G – Em – Am – D in G major; the table above lists all twelve keys.
- What is the I–vi–ii–V progression called?
- I–vi–ii–V is known as the Songwriter turnaround, and also as the 1–6–2–5. The I–vi–ii–V progression replaces the IV of the doo-wop loop with the ii chord, so the bass walks down and the last two chords form a ii–V that pulls hard back to the tonic — the standard turnaround of the Great American Songbook.
- How long is the I–vi–ii–V progression?
- Each chord lasts 4 beats, so one pass of the 4 chords is 4 bars of 4/4. Loop it to keep the harmony going under a verse or a solo.
- What songs use the I–vi–ii–V progression?
- "Blue Moon" by Richard Rodgers and "Heart and Soul" by Hoagy Carmichael are built on it, at least in the section each is known for.