vi7–ii7–V7–Imaj7 chord progression
Circle progression — vi7–ii7–V7–Imaj7 · also called the 6–2–5–1
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The vi7–ii7–V7–Imaj7 progression moves every root down a fifth — vi to ii to V to I — following the circle of fifths, which is the strongest sense of direction harmony can have; it opens "Fly Me to the Moon".
It moves from the submediant (vi7) to the supertonic (ii7) to the dominant (V7) to the tonic (Imaj7) 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 Am7 – Dm7 – G7 – Cmaj7; in G major they are Em7 – Am7 – D7 – Gmaj7. 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.
vi7–ii7–V7–Imaj7 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 | Am7 – Dm7 – G7 – Cmaj7 |
| D♭ major | B♭m7 – E♭m7 – A♭7 – D♭maj7 |
| D major | Bm7 – Em7 – A7 – Dmaj7 |
| E♭ major | Cm7 – Fm7 – B♭7 – E♭maj7 |
| E major | C♯m7 – F♯m7 – B7 – Emaj7 |
| F major | Dm7 – Gm7 – C7 – Fmaj7 |
| F♯ major | D♯m7 – G♯m7 – C♯7 – F♯maj7 |
| G major | Em7 – Am7 – D7 – Gmaj7 |
| A♭ major | Fm7 – B♭m7 – E♭7 – A♭maj7 |
| A major | F♯m7 – Bm7 – E7 – Amaj7 |
| B♭ major | Gm7 – Cm7 – F7 – B♭maj7 |
| B major | G♯m7 – C♯m7 – F♯7 – Bmaj7 |
Songs that use it
Well-known songs built on this progression, at least in the section each is known for:
- Fly Me to the Moon — Bart Howard
- I Will Survive — Gloria Gaynor
Frequently asked questions
- What chords are in the vi7–ii7–V7–Imaj7 progression in C major?
- In C major the vi7–ii7–V7–Imaj7 progression is Am7 – Dm7 – G7 – Cmaj7. The same numerals give Em7 – Am7 – D7 – Gmaj7 in G major; the table above lists all twelve keys.
- What is the vi7–ii7–V7–Imaj7 progression called?
- vi7–ii7–V7–Imaj7 is known as the Circle progression, and also as the 6–2–5–1. The vi7–ii7–V7–Imaj7 progression moves every root down a fifth — vi to ii to V to I — following the circle of fifths, which is the strongest sense of direction harmony can have; it opens "Fly Me to the Moon".
- How long is the vi7–ii7–V7–Imaj7 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 vi7–ii7–V7–Imaj7 progression?
- "Fly Me to the Moon" by Bart Howard and "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor are built on it, at least in the section each is known for.