6.6 · The ii and iii Chords

The fifths chain

iii–vi–ii–V–I: every root falls a fifth. In C: E to A, A to D, D to G, G to C. It is the ii–V–I fall, started two chords earlier.

Four falls in a row

Every root falls a fifth, in C: E to A, A to D, D to G, G to C. On the wheel in fifths order, that is one step counter-clockwise each time.

E A D G C
Em
Am
Dm
G
C

In numbers: 3, 6, 2, 5, 1. Each root is a fifth below the one before.

CGDAEBF♯D♭A♭E♭B♭FFIFTHSa fifth per step

Start anywhere on the chain

Drop the first chord and the chain still lands on I. The last two are always V and I.

Am
Dm
G
C

Four chords, in C: A, D, G, C.

Dm
G
C

Three chords, in C: D, G, C. Lesson 6.1's fall.

G
C

Two chords, in C: G, C. The fall every chain ends on.

Game · How many chords to home?

1 / 5

A chain of falling fifths, ending on I. How many chords did it take?

Listen first. Then answer.

Quiz

1 / 3

In the fifths chain, each root…

Score 100% on every quiz and game to complete this lesson. A perfect run sticks: a later miss never undoes it.Follow the song, with ii and iii →