Chord progression · C♯ major

The turnaround (I–vi–ii–V) in C♯ major

A classic loop from jazz and doo-wop. Each chord pulls to the next by a 4th, and the V leads straight back to the start.

Chords in C♯ major
C♯→A♯m→D♯m→G♯
Numerals
IviiiV

Play along

4 bars of 4 beats, looping · pick a key above to transpose

1C♯I
2A♯mvi
3D♯mii
4G♯V

Strum pattern: ↓   ↓↑  ↑↓↑ (down, down-up, up-down-up) — count “1 2 & 3 & 4 &”. Learn this strum →

The chords

I C♯
4fr×1C♯2G♯3C♯4E♯1G♯
1G♯2C♯3E♯4C♯
C4E♯C5C♯G♯C♯ E♯ G♯
vi A♯m
×1A♯3E♯4A♯2C♯1E♯
3A♯1C♯1E♯1A♯
C4E♯C5C♯A♯A♯m/C♯
ii D♯m
6fr×1D♯3A♯4D♯2F♯1A♯
3A♯4D♯2F♯1A♯
C4C5D♯F♯A♯D♯ F♯ A♯
V G♯
4fr1G♯3D♯4G♯2B♯1D♯1G♯
1G♯2D♯4G♯3B♯
C4B♯D♯G♯G♯/D♯

Piano voicings use inversions so each chord is as close as possible to the one before — your hand barely moves. Switch to “Root position” to compare.