I–vi–ii–V

Known as the '50s progression or ice cream changes, this turnaround was the harmonic engine of early rock and roll. It cycles smoothly through descending thirds and a ii–V resolution.

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

Genre: pop, rock   Difficulty: intermediate

Choose a Key

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

Song Examples