I–vi–ii–V–iii–vi in D Major

Pattern: I – vi – ii – V – iii – vi Chords: D – Bm – Em – A – F♯m – Bm

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
iii	F♯m (details)	minor	Mediant
vi	Bm (details)	minor	Submediant

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through D (Tonic) → Bm (Submediant) → Em (Supertonic) → A (Dominant) → F♯m (Mediant) → Bm (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

D Bm Em A F♯m

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