6.2 · The vi, ii, and iii Chords

vi stands in for I

vi shares two notes with I, so it can take I's place. In C, A minor holds C and E. When V lands on vi instead of I, the ear gets home in minor.

vi stands in for I

Two shared notes, one role. In C, I is C E G and vi is A C E. The C and E stay; G becomes A, and the chord turns minor.

C E GHome. A C EC and E stay. G becomes A: minor home.
C
F
G
C

V lands on I. The phrase is finished.

C
F
G
Am

V lands on vi. Home, in minor, and the phrase can keep going.

The landing that keeps a song going

A phrase that lands on vi is not over. Songs use the minor landing to run the same chords twice before the real ending.

C
F
G
Am
F
G
C

I–IV–V–vi, then IV–V–I. The first landing is minor and the ear waits; the second is I and it stops.

Am
F
G
C

A loop can open on the minor home too. The next lessons' pop loop is built on this.

Game · Which landing?

1 / 5

I, IV, V, then a landing. Did V land on I, or on vi?

Listen first. Then answer.

Quiz

1 / 3

In C major, vi is…

Score 100% on every quiz and game to complete this lesson.The pop loop →