I–V–vi–ii

The I–V–vi–ii progression descends through the circle of fifths, creating smooth harmonic motion that naturally wants to continue to V and resolve. This falling-fifths pattern generates elegant forward momentum. It appears in pop ballads and jazz-influenced songwriting.

Pattern: I – V – vi – ii   Example in C Major: C – G – Am – Dm

Genre: pop, jazz   Difficulty: intermediate

Choose a Key

C Major C – G – Am – Dm G Major G – D – Em – Am D Major D – A – Bm – Em A Major A – E – F♯m – Bm E Major E – B – C♯m – F♯m B Major B – F♯ – G♯m – C♯m F♯ Major F♯ – C♯ – D♯m – G♯m F Major F – C – Dm – Gm B♭ Major B♭ – F – Gm – Cm E♭ Major E♭ – B♭ – Cm – Fm A♭ Major A♭ – E♭ – Fm – Bbm D♭ Major D♭ – A♭ – Bbm – Ebm

Song Examples