I–vi–ii–V–I in D Major

Pattern: I – vi – ii – V – I Chords: D – Bm – Em – A – D

Chord Breakdown

Numeral	Chord	Type	Function
I	D (details)	major	Tonic
vi	Bm (details)	minor	Submediant
ii	Em (details)	minor	Supertonic
V	A (details)	major	Dominant
I	D (details)	major	Tonic

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through D (Tonic) → Bm (Submediant) → Em (Supertonic) → A (Dominant) → D (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

D Bm Em A

More Progressions in D 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