I–vi–ii–V–iii–vi in C Major

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

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
iii	Em (details)	minor	Mediant
vi	Am (details)	minor	Submediant

Harmonic Analysis

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

The I–vi–ii–V–iii–vi progression extends the standard turnaround with an additional iii–vi tail, creating a longer harmonic cycle that delays resolution. The circle-of-fifths motion continues past the expected cadence point, keeping the harmony in perpetual motion. This pattern appears in jazz ballads and sophisticated pop.

Song Examples

The Way You Look Tonight — Jerome Kern
Just the Way You Are — Billy Joel

Chord Details

C Am Dm G Em

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