iii-VI-ii-V Turnaround (iii VI7 ii V7)
The iii-VI-ii-V turnaround is the chord progression iii-VI7-ii-V7. In the key of C major it is Em A7 Dm G7, and in the Nashville Number System it is written 3m 6(7) 2m 5(7).
Chords from outside the key of C major: A7.
Jump to the chords and audio in C, G, D, A and E
Why it works
Here iii replaces I at the start of the turnaround, because the two chords share most of their notes. VI7 is the secondary dominant of ii, and the rest falls by fifths back to I. It sounds like the music is already moving before the phrase ends.
Songs that use it
These are the chords as played in each song, in the song's own key.
| Song | Artist | Section | Chords | Key |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oleo | Sonny Rollins | A section | Dm7 G7 | Cm7 F7 | Bb major |
| Fly Me to the Moon | Bart Howard | last eight bars | Em7 | A7 | Dm7 | G7 | Cmaj7 | C major |
iii-VI-ii-V Turnaround: 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
- Sears Roebuck bridge: E7 A7 D7 G7
- Tritone substitution cadence: Dm7 Db7 Cmaj7
- Tadd Dameron turnaround: Cmaj7 Eb7 Ab7 Db7
- Take the A Train changes: Cmaj7 D7 Dm7 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 iii-VI-ii-V turnaround in each key?
In C major: Em A7 Dm G7. In G major: Bm E7 Am D7. In D major: F#m B7 Em A7. In A major: C#m F#7 Bm E7. In E major: G#m C#7 F#m B7.
Which songs use the iii-VI-ii-V turnaround?
Songs that use it include Oleo by Sonny Rollins, Fly Me to the Moon by Bart Howard.
