I6–ii–V

The I6–ii–V progression uses the major sixth chord as the tonic before moving into a ii–V turnaround. The warmth of the sixth chord establishes a relaxed home base, and the ii–V motion creates forward momentum that cycles the progression. This turnaround is a staple of jazz standards from the Great American Songbook era, where the sixth chord was the preferred tonic voicing.

Pattern: I6 – ii – V Example in C Major: C6 – Dm – G

Genre: jazz, swing, standards Difficulty: intermediate

Choose a Key

C Major C6 – Dm – G G Major G6 – Am – D D Major D6 – Em – A A Major A6 – Bm – E E Major E6 – F♯m – B B Major B6 – C♯m – F♯ F♯ Major F♯6 – G♯m – C♯ F Major F6 – Gm – C B♭ Major B♭6 – Cm – F E♭ Major E♭6 – Fm – B♭ A♭ Major A♭6 – Bbm – E♭ D♭ Major D♭6 – Ebm – A♭

Song Examples

The Girl from Ipanema — Jobim
Satin Doll — Duke Ellington
L-O-V-E — Nat King Cole

Related Progressions

Imaj7–ii–V I6–IV–V ii–V–I