Jazz · Intermediate · major key
Circle progression (vi–ii–V–I)
vi – ii – V – I — Every chord falls a fifth to the next — the strongest pull in Western harmony.
Chord shapes in G major (standard tuning)
Using a different tuning? Open it in the Looper — it finds playable shapes for whatever tuning you choose.
How the chords work
Written in Roman numerals, this progression is vi – ii – V – I — in C major that is Am – Dm – G – C. Each numeral is a step of the scale; upper case is a major chord, lower case minor.
- vi — the relative minor — the "sad" chord of a major key.
- ii — a soft minor chord that leads towards V (a "pre-dominant").
- V — the tension chord that wants to resolve home.
- I — the home chord — the progression feels finished when it lands here.
Circle progression (vi–ii–V–I) in all 12 keys
| Key | Chords | Hear / play |
|---|---|---|
| C major | AmDmGC | Looper |
| G major | EmAmDG | Looper |
| D major | BmEmAD | Looper |
| A major | F#mBmEA | Looper |
| E major | C#mF#mBE | Looper |
| B major | G#mC#mF#B | Looper |
| F# major | D#mG#mC#F# | Looper |
| Db major | BbmEbmAbDb | Looper |
| Ab major | FmBbmEbAb | Looper |
| Eb major | CmFmBbEb | Looper |
| Bb major | GmCmFBb | Looper |
| F major | DmGmCF | Looper |
Practice ideas
- Beginners: play one strum per chord and say the chord names out loud, then two strums, then a steady down-down-up-up-down-up pattern.
- Change keys with a capo: keep the G major shapes and move a capo up — the capo calculator shows which fret gives the key you want.
- Solo over it: loop it in the Looper and improvise with the G major pentatonic or G major scale — the scale pages show every position and play a backing track.
- Train your ear: the progression ear trainer mixes this with similar progressions until you can tell them apart.
Similar progressions
- I6–vi7 swing vamp I6 – vi7 – ii7 – V7
- Imaj7–vi7–ii7–V7 Imaj7 – vi7 – ii7 – V7
- Rhythm changes A section Imaj7 – vi7 – ii7 – V7 – iii7 – VI7 – ii7 – V7
- "Fly Me to the Moon" cycle vi7 – ii7 – V7 – Imaj7 – IVmaj7 – viiø7 – III7 – vi7
- Jazz circle iii–vi–ii–V–I iii7 – vi7 – ii7 – V7 – Imaj7
- I–vi–ii–V turnaround I – vi – ii – V
← vi–V–IV–V · I–vi–I–vi–IV–V ballad →
← All 198 chord progressions · Generate a new one
Questions
What chords are in the vi – ii – V – I progression?
In G major: Em – Am – D – G. In C major / A minor: Am – Dm – G – C. The table on this page lists all 12 keys.
What is the best key to play vi – ii – V – I on guitar?
G major uses the most open-position chord shapes in standard tuning. Use a capo with those shapes to reach other keys.