ii–V–vi

A ii–V that resolves deceptively to the vi chord instead of the expected tonic. Jazz arrangers use this to extend a tune's harmonic journey and delay the final resolution for greater emotional impact.

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

Genre: jazz   Difficulty: intermediate

Choose a Key

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

Song Examples