Chord Progression ii-V-I-vi

Q: What is the "Rhythm changes turnaround" progression?

A chord progression is a sequence of chords that repeats and provides the harmonic foundation of a song. "Rhythm changes turnaround" is one of the popular progressions with a distinctive mood and sound.

Q: How do I transpose this progression?

Use the key selector at the top of the page. All chords are automatically recalculated to the chosen key and the fretboard diagrams update accordingly.

Q: Which scales work over this progression?

See the Theory block below: it lists suitable scales and modes for improvisation. Typically these are the scale of the main key and its related modes.

Q: How do I write a song based on this progression?

Choose a tempo and key, add a rhythmic pattern and melody. The progression is a framework: you can build any melody, harmonic decoration and rhythmic variation on top of it.

Extended jazz cadence with turnaround to vi.

Dmii

Amvi

Key:

BPM

Positions & route

1 / 4

Музыкальный контекст

АккордC MajorТрезвучие

АрпеджиоC Major arpeggioТрезвучие

ГаммаC Major Scale7 нот

ЛадC Dorian

ТональностьC MajorМажорная тональность

ПрогрессияRhythm changes turnaroundПоследовательность

Показывает, как текущий элемент связан с ладом, тональностью и используется в музыке.

Theory

General information

Name: Chord Progression ii-V-I-vi
Type: Major
Chord count: 4 chords
Tonal belonging: Major key
Brief character: Extended jazz cadence with turnaround to vi.

Progression composition

Degree sequence: ii-V-I-vi
Chords & functions: iiDmsubdominant
VGdominant
ICtonic
viAmtonic
Notation variants: ii–V–I–vi
2m–5–1–6m
Dm–G–C–Am

Construction logic

Functional formula: SСубдом.DДомин.T
Movement logic: Extension of the jazz ii-V-I cadence with a turnaround to vi, creating a cycle for the cadence to repeat.

How it sounds

Character: Major, bright
Mood: Optimistic, energetic
Stability level: High — resolves to tonic
Sense of completeness: Complete — full cadential turnaround

Harmonic functions

iiDmCreates motion away from tonic, prepares dominantsubdominant

VGCreates maximum tension, strives for resolutiondominant

ICCenter of gravity, point of resttonic

viAmCenter of gravity, point of resttonic

How motion is created

The tonic provides a point of rest and stability. The subdominant sets the harmony in motion, moving away from that stability. The dominant builds tension that strives to resolve back to the tonic.

Tensions & resolutions

Chords that pull to resolution: V
ii
Where resolution occurs: I
Tension buildup: Tension builds on V, ii, resolving to I.

Harmonic context

Natural keys: Cmajor Aminor
Transposition: The progression transposes to any key — the structure (Roman numerals) stays the same, only specific chords change.

Progression variability

Replace triads with seventh chords for a richer sound
Try chord inversions for smoother voice leading
Add passing chords between the main degrees

Connections & application

Related chords

Key chords of the progression — visit each chord page for voicings and theory.

Dmii GV CI Amvi

Related keys

Keys where this progression is most typical.

Cmajor Amajor

Related scales & modes

Scales for melody / soloing

CDorian CMixolydian CMelodic minor

Modes that reveal individual chords

iiDm Dorian

VG Mixolydian

IC Ionian (major)

viAm Aeolian (natural minor)

Related cadences

Cadential fragments found within the progression.

ii→V

ii–V cadential motion

V→I

Authentic cadence

Application in music

Musical scenarios

Not just a genre list — specific situations where this progression shines.

Classic material for jazz improvisation — works for standards and free soloing alike
Great for ear training and voice leading practice
Invites experimentation with reharmonization and arranging

Genres & styles

Jazz

turnaround

rhythm-changes

Featured in songs

Rhythm Changes (I Got Rhythm)George Gershwin

AnthropologyCharlie Parker

OleoSonny Rollins

Lester Leaps InLester Young

CottontailDuke Ellington

Practice

How to play the progression

Learn each chord of the progression separately — make sure every note rings clearly.
Play the full progression without a metronome, focusing on clean transitions.
Set a metronome to 60 BPM and play each chord as whole notes (4 beats per chord).
Use the player at the top of the page for tempo control and an audio reference.

Chord change practice

Isolate each pair of adjacent chords and repeat the transition 10–20 times.
Start slow, increase by 5 BPM only when the transition is stable.
Split the progression in half and practice each half separately.
Watch for economy of motion — fingers should move as little as possible.

Rhythm work

Start with a simple downstroke on each beat.
Add alternation: down–up on each eighth note.
Try the "Whole → Quarters → Eighths" pattern from the player.
Play arpeggios instead of strumming to develop fingerpicking technique.

Improvising over the progression

Sing the chord tones aloud while playing — this develops your inner ear.
Play a 3–4 note melody over each chord, using notes from the compatible scale.
Try changing the rhythmic pattern of the melody while keeping the same notes.
Record yourself and listen back — this is the best way to assess progress.

Playing in different keys

Use the key selector at the top to see chords in a new key.
Start with nearby keys (±1 accidental): e.g., from C → G or F.
Play the progression 5–10 times in each new key before moving on.
Goal: play the progression in any key without looking at a reference.

Similar progressions

Jazz II-V-I (ii-V-I)Circle I-vi-ii-V (I-vi-ii-V)

Scales for this style

Dorian Mixolydian Ionian (major)

What is the "Rhythm changes turnaround" progression?

How do I transpose this progression?

Which scales work over this progression?

How do I write a song based on this progression?

Chord Progression ii-V-I-vi

Extended jazz cadence with turnaround to vi.

Dmii

Amvi

Key:

BPM

Positions & route

1 / 4

Музыкальный контекст

АккордC MajorТрезвучие

АрпеджиоC Major arpeggioТрезвучие

ГаммаC Major Scale7 нот

ЛадC Dorian

ТональностьC MajorМажорная тональность

ПрогрессияRhythm changes turnaroundПоследовательность

Показывает, как текущий элемент связан с ладом, тональностью и используется в музыке.

Theory

General information

Name: Chord Progression ii-V-I-vi
Type: Major
Chord count: 4 chords
Tonal belonging: Major key
Brief character: Extended jazz cadence with turnaround to vi.

Progression composition

Degree sequence: ii-V-I-vi
Chords & functions: iiDmsubdominant
VGdominant
ICtonic
viAmtonic
Notation variants: ii–V–I–vi
2m–5–1–6m
Dm–G–C–Am

Construction logic

Functional formula: SСубдом.DДомин.T
Movement logic: Extension of the jazz ii-V-I cadence with a turnaround to vi, creating a cycle for the cadence to repeat.

How it sounds

Character: Major, bright
Mood: Optimistic, energetic
Stability level: High — resolves to tonic
Sense of completeness: Complete — full cadential turnaround

Harmonic functions

iiDmCreates motion away from tonic, prepares dominantsubdominant

VGCreates maximum tension, strives for resolutiondominant

ICCenter of gravity, point of resttonic

viAmCenter of gravity, point of resttonic

How motion is created

The tonic provides a point of rest and stability. The subdominant sets the harmony in motion, moving away from that stability. The dominant builds tension that strives to resolve back to the tonic.

Tensions & resolutions

Chords that pull to resolution: V
ii
Where resolution occurs: I
Tension buildup: Tension builds on V, ii, resolving to I.

Harmonic context

Natural keys: Cmajor Aminor
Transposition: The progression transposes to any key — the structure (Roman numerals) stays the same, only specific chords change.

Progression variability

Replace triads with seventh chords for a richer sound
Try chord inversions for smoother voice leading
Add passing chords between the main degrees

Connections & application

Related chords

Key chords of the progression — visit each chord page for voicings and theory.

Dmii GV CI Amvi

Related keys

Keys where this progression is most typical.

Cmajor Amajor

Related scales & modes

Scales for melody / soloing

CDorian CMixolydian CMelodic minor

Modes that reveal individual chords

iiDm Dorian

VG Mixolydian

IC Ionian (major)

viAm Aeolian (natural minor)

Related cadences

Cadential fragments found within the progression.

ii→V

ii–V cadential motion

V→I

Authentic cadence

Application in music

Musical scenarios

Not just a genre list — specific situations where this progression shines.

Classic material for jazz improvisation — works for standards and free soloing alike
Great for ear training and voice leading practice
Invites experimentation with reharmonization and arranging

Genres & styles

Jazz

turnaround

rhythm-changes

Featured in songs

Rhythm Changes (I Got Rhythm)George Gershwin

AnthropologyCharlie Parker

OleoSonny Rollins

Lester Leaps InLester Young

CottontailDuke Ellington

Practice

How to play the progression

Learn each chord of the progression separately — make sure every note rings clearly.
Play the full progression without a metronome, focusing on clean transitions.
Set a metronome to 60 BPM and play each chord as whole notes (4 beats per chord).
Use the player at the top of the page for tempo control and an audio reference.

Chord change practice

Isolate each pair of adjacent chords and repeat the transition 10–20 times.
Start slow, increase by 5 BPM only when the transition is stable.
Split the progression in half and practice each half separately.
Watch for economy of motion — fingers should move as little as possible.

Rhythm work

Start with a simple downstroke on each beat.
Add alternation: down–up on each eighth note.
Try the "Whole → Quarters → Eighths" pattern from the player.
Play arpeggios instead of strumming to develop fingerpicking technique.

Improvising over the progression

Sing the chord tones aloud while playing — this develops your inner ear.
Play a 3–4 note melody over each chord, using notes from the compatible scale.
Try changing the rhythmic pattern of the melody while keeping the same notes.
Record yourself and listen back — this is the best way to assess progress.

Playing in different keys

Use the key selector at the top to see chords in a new key.
Start with nearby keys (±1 accidental): e.g., from C → G or F.
Play the progression 5–10 times in each new key before moving on.
Goal: play the progression in any key without looking at a reference.

Similar progressions

Jazz II-V-I (ii-V-I)Circle I-vi-ii-V (I-vi-ii-V)

Scales for this style

Dorian Mixolydian Ionian (major)

What is the "Rhythm changes turnaround" progression?

How do I transpose this progression?

Which scales work over this progression?

How do I write a song based on this progression?

Chords & Arpeggios

Scales & Modes

Harmony & Theory

Tools & Practice

Chord Progression ii-V-I-vi

Positions & route

Музыкальный контекст

Theory

General information

Progression composition

Construction logic

How it sounds

Harmonic functions

Tensions & resolutions

Harmonic context

Progression variability

Connections & application

Related chords

Related keys

Related scales & modes

Related cadences

Application in music

Musical scenarios

Genres & styles

Featured in songs

Practice

How to play the progression

Chord change practice

Rhythm work

Improvising over the progression

Playing in different keys

Related

Frequently Asked Questions

Chord Progression ii-V-I-vi

Positions & route

Музыкальный контекст

Theory

General information

Progression composition

Construction logic

How it sounds

Harmonic functions

Tensions & resolutions

Harmonic context

Progression variability

Connections & application

Related chords

Related keys

Related scales & modes

Related cadences

Application in music

Musical scenarios

Genres & styles

Featured in songs

Practice

How to play the progression

Chord change practice

Rhythm work

Improvising over the progression

Playing in different keys

Related

Frequently Asked Questions