I–ii–IV

This ascending three-chord progression steps up from the tonic through the supertonic to the subdominant. The stepwise motion creates a gentle, climbing quality that pairs naturally with folk storytelling.

Pattern: I – ii – IV   Example in C Major: C – Dm – F

Genre: folk, country   Difficulty: intermediate

Choose a Key

C Major C – Dm – F G Major G – Am – C D Major D – Em – G A Major A – Bm – D E Major E – F♯m – A B Major B – C♯m – E F♯ Major F♯ – G♯m – B F Major F – Gm – B♭ B♭ Major B♭ – Cm – E♭ E♭ Major E♭ – Fm – A♭ A♭ Major A♭ – Bbm – D♭ D♭ Major D♭ – Ebm – G♭

Song Examples