6.1 · The ii and iii Chords

ii sets up V

ii sets up V. In C, D minor goes to G, and G goes home to C: three roots, each a fifth below the last.

V–I, then ii–V–I

ii–V–I is V–I with one chord in front. ii pulls to V the way V pulls to I.

G
C
Dm
G
C
C
Dm
G
C

Home, then the fall: ii to V to I.

The roots fall by fifths

Each root is a fifth below the one before: in C, D, then G, then C. V to I is that fall once; ii–V–I is the same fall twice.

D G CD falls a fifth to G. G falls a fifth to C. D F A G B D C E GThe same three roots, with a chord on each.

In three keys

The same fall from three homes. The letters change with the home; the numerals do not.

Dm
G
C

Dm, G, C: D falls to G, G falls to C.

Am
D
G

Am, D, G: A falls to D, D falls to G.

Gm
C
F

Gm, C, F: G falls to C, C falls to F.

Jazz plays these three chords with a seventh on each: Dm7, G7, Cmaj7. That version has its own lesson in Sevenths & Jazz.

Game · ii or I first?

1 / 5

Three chords, ending on I. Did it open on ii, or on I?

Listen first. Then answer.

Quiz

1 / 3

In C major, ii–V–I is…

Score 100% on every quiz and game to complete this lesson. A perfect run sticks: a later miss never undoes it.ii or IV →