I6–ii–V in D Major

Pattern: I6 – ii – V Chords: D6 – Em – A

Chord Breakdown

Numeral	Chord	Type	Function
I6	D6 (details)	major sixth	Tonic
ii	Em (details)	minor	Supertonic
V	A (details)	major	Dominant

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through D6 (Tonic) → Em (Supertonic) → A (Dominant).

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.

Song Examples

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

Chord Details

D6 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

Related Progressions

Imaj7–ii–V I6–IV–V ii–V–I