ii–V–iii–vi

Instead of resolving to I, the dominant moves to iii, which then continues the circle of fifths to vi. This back-cycling technique is a hallmark of bebop and post-bop composition.

Pattern: ii – V – iii – vi   Example in C Major: Dm – G – Em – Am

Genre: jazz   Difficulty: intermediate

Choose a Key

C Major Dm – G – Em – Am G Major Am – D – Bm – Em D Major Em – A – F♯m – Bm A Major Bm – E – C♯m – F♯m E Major F♯m – B – G♯m – C♯m B Major C♯m – F♯ – D♯m – G♯m F♯ Major G♯m – C♯ – A♯m – D♯m F Major Gm – C – Am – Dm B♭ Major Cm – F – Dm – Gm E♭ Major Fm – B♭ – Gm – Cm A♭ Major Bbm – E♭ – Cm – Fm D♭ Major Ebm – A♭ – Fm – Bbm

Song Examples