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Progression · Jazz

I–vi–ii–V Progression

The jazz turnaround — a ii-V-I with the vi added to make it loop forever.

The Progression

IiiVvi

Why It Works

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Questions about the I–vi–ii–V progression

What is a turnaround in jazz?

A short progression — often the last two bars of a section — whose job is to lead smoothly back to the top so the form can repeat. I-vi-ii-V is the classic turnaround: it ends on the V, which pulls the ear straight back to the I.

How does this relate to ii-V-I?

It's a ii-V-I with the vi chord placed in front of it. The core ii-V-I cadence (Dm-G7-C here) is still doing the work; the added vi (Am) at the start makes the whole thing loop back on itself instead of simply arriving and stopping.

What key is I-vi-ii-V in?

C major: C is the I, Am the vi, Dm the ii and G7 the V. It's one of the most useful four-chord loops to know in every key, since it appears constantly in jazz standards and jam tunes.

Related progressions & chords

ii–V–IJazzvi–IV–I–VPop CChordAmChordDmChordG7Chord