6.3 · The ii and iii Chords

ii without V

ii pulls only when V comes next. Put IV or vi after it and ii sits away from home the way IV does, with no pull.

ii, then V. ii, then something else

Three loops in C that leave home through ii. Only the chord after ii changes.

C
Dm
G
C

ii to V: the root falls a fifth, D to G, and V pulls home.

C
Dm
F
G

ii to IV: the root rises a step, D to F. No pull yet; V comes one chord later.

C
Dm
Am
F

ii to vi: the root rises a fifth, D to A. The loop stays away and never reaches V.

Leaving home by ii

I to ii moves one step up and turns minor. I to V moves a fifth and pulls back; I to ii moves a step and does not.

C
G

Home, then the strongest pull.

C
Dm

Home, then a minor chord one step up. Away, no pull.

C
Dm
F
G

Away by a step, away by another, then V.

Two songs on ii

Both loops leave ii without going to V. Both are in the practice room's Real Songs, with the recording.

A
Bm
D
A

4 Non Blondes, in A. ii rises a step to IV, and IV lands home.

F#m
A
E
B

Oasis, in E. The loop opens on ii, and home does not arrive until chord three.

Game · Where did ii go?

1 / 5

Home, then ii, then one more chord, then home. Where did ii go?

Listen first. Then answer.

Quiz

1 / 3

ii pulls toward V because…

Score 100% on every quiz and game to complete this lesson. A perfect run sticks: a later miss never undoes it.iii, between I and V →