Circle Progression (I vi ii V)
The Circle progression is the chord progression I-vi-ii-V. In the key of C major it is C Am Dm G, and in the Nashville Number System it is written 1 6m 2m 5.
It is also known as ii-V-I with vi pickup.
The same loop is also written vi-ii-V-I.
Jump to the chords and audio in C, G, D, A and E
Why it works
The circle version of the doo-wop: ii replaces IV, so the last three moves fall by fifths (A-D-G-C). This is the opening of each A section of Rhythm changes and the classic turnaround. Secondary dominants such as VI7 drop in easily.
The same loop as Circle progression (vi-ii-V-I)
Every root falls a fifth, the strongest root motion in tonal harmony, so each chord seems to push into the next until I arrives. All four chords are diatonic to the major scale. Starting on vi gives a slightly wistful opening before the sunny arrival on I.
How to use it
These chords stem from old jazz standards, often used in turnarounds and circle progressions. Here they take the ii-V-I that is very common in jazz and add the vi. It is normal to see dominant or major 7th chords in these song examples.
Songs that use it
These are the chords as played in each song, in the song's own key.
| Song | Artist | Section | Chords | Key |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Without You | Harry Nilsson | chorus | E C#m F#m B7 | E major |
| Island in the Sun | Weezer | intro, verse and chorus | Em Am D G | G major |
| Sherry | The Four Seasons | verse | C Am Dm G | C major |
| Hungry Heart | Bruce Springsteen | verse and chorus | Db Bbm Ebm7 Ab7sus4 | Db major |
| Beyond the Sea | Bobby Darin | intro and verse | F Dm Gm7 C7 | F major |
| You Never Give Me Your Money | The Beatles | opening section | Am7 Dm7 G C(maj7) | C major |
| Fly Me to the Moon | Bart Howard | A section, bars 1 to 4 | Am7 | Dm7 | G7 | Cmaj7 | C major |
| All the Things You Are | Jerome Kern | A section, bars 1 to 4 | Fm7 | Bbm7 | Eb7 | Abmaj7 | Ab major |
| Piano Sonata K. 545 | Mozart | first movement passage | vi ii V I | C major |
Keep learning
Circle Progression: Chords and Audio in C, G, D, A and E
Press play to hear each key. The diagrams show the shapes used in the audio, and every chord links to its full page.
More progressions like this one
- Backdoor progression: Fm7 Bb7 C
- I-#Idim-ii-V: C C#dim Dm G
- Ascending augmented: C Caug C6 C7
- Ragtime progression: C A7 D7 G7
All guitar chord progressions →
Created by
Giancarlo is a musician (teaching guitar since 2000), software engineer, AI consultant and published researcher
FAQ
What are the chords of the Circle progression in each key?
In C major: C Am Dm G. In G major: G Em Am D. In D major: D Bm Em A. In A major: A F#m Bm E. In E major: E C#m F#m B.
Which songs use the Circle progression?
Songs that use it include Without You by Harry Nilsson, Island in the Sun by Weezer, Sherry by The Four Seasons.
