iii–vi–ii–V

A descending circle-of-fifths movement through diatonic chords that creates strong harmonic momentum. Widely used in jazz standards as a turnaround or as the harmonic engine for entire sections.

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

Genre: jazz   Difficulty: intermediate

Choose a Key

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

Song Examples