Imaj7–vi7–ii7–V7 chord progression
Jazz turnaround — Imaj7–vi7–ii7–V7 · also called the rhythm changes (A section), 1–6–2–5 with sevenths
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4.7 · 6 ratingsImaj7–vi7–ii7–V7 chord progression — how it works
The Imaj7–vi7–ii7–V7 progression is the I–vi–ii–V turnaround with every chord given its seventh, so it moves in smooth two-beat steps back to the top of the form — the harmony of "I Got Rhythm" and every tune built on its changes.
It moves from the tonic (Imaj7) to the submediant (vi7) to the supertonic (ii7) to the dominant (V7) and then repeats. Each chord lasts 2 beats, so one pass of the 4 chords is 2 bars of 4/4.
In C major the chords are Cmaj7 – Am7 – Dm7 – G7; in G major they are Gmaj7 – Em7 – Am7 – D7. 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.
Imaj7–vi7–ii7–V7 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 | Cmaj7 – Am7 – Dm7 – G7 |
| D♭ major | D♭maj7 – B♭m7 – E♭m7 – A♭7 |
| D major | Dmaj7 – Bm7 – Em7 – A7 |
| E♭ major | E♭maj7 – Cm7 – Fm7 – B♭7 |
| E major | Emaj7 – C♯m7 – F♯m7 – B7 |
| F major | Fmaj7 – Dm7 – Gm7 – C7 |
| F♯ major | F♯maj7 – D♯m7 – G♯m7 – C♯7 |
| G major | Gmaj7 – Em7 – Am7 – D7 |
| A♭ major | A♭maj7 – Fm7 – B♭m7 – E♭7 |
| A major | Amaj7 – F♯m7 – Bm7 – E7 |
| B♭ major | B♭maj7 – Gm7 – Cm7 – F7 |
| B major | Bmaj7 – G♯m7 – C♯m7 – F♯7 |
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.
- I Got Rhythm — George Gershwin
- Oleo — Sonny Rollins
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 Imaj7–vi7–ii7–V7 progression in C major?
- In C major the Imaj7–vi7–ii7–V7 progression is Cmaj7 – Am7 – Dm7 – G7. The same numerals give Gmaj7 – Em7 – Am7 – D7 in G major; the table above lists all twelve keys.
- What is the Imaj7–vi7–ii7–V7 progression called?
- Imaj7–vi7–ii7–V7 is known as the Jazz turnaround, and also as the rhythm changes (A section) and 1–6–2–5 with sevenths. The Imaj7–vi7–ii7–V7 progression is the I–vi–ii–V turnaround with every chord given its seventh, so it moves in smooth two-beat steps back to the top of the form — the harmony of "I Got Rhythm" and every tune built on its changes.
- How long is the Imaj7–vi7–ii7–V7 progression?
- Each chord lasts 2 beats, so one pass of the 4 chords is 2 bars of 4/4. Loop it to keep the harmony going under a verse or a solo.
- What songs use the Imaj7–vi7–ii7–V7 progression?
- "I Got Rhythm" by George Gershwin and "Oleo" by Sonny Rollins are built on it, at least in the section each is known for.