I–vi–ii–V–I in C Major

Pattern: I – vi – ii – V – I Chords: C – Am – Dm – G – C

Chord Breakdown

Numeral	Chord	Type	Function
I	C (details)	major	Tonic
vi	Am (details)	minor	Submediant
ii	Dm (details)	minor	Supertonic
V	G (details)	major	Dominant
I	C (details)	major	Tonic

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through C (Tonic) → Am (Submediant) → Dm (Supertonic) → G (Dominant) → C (Tonic).

The complete turnaround cycle that resolves back to the tonic, providing full harmonic closure. This self-contained progression is the basis for countless jazz standards and rhythm changes.

Song Examples

I Got Rhythm — George Gershwin
Anthropology — Charlie Parker

Chord Details

C Am Dm G

More Progressions in C Major

I–IV–V–I I–V–vi–IV I–vi–IV–V ii–V–I I–IV–V I–♭VII–IV vi–IV–I–V I–V–vi–iii–IV–I–IV–V I–IV I–V IV–V IV–I