I–ii–V

The ii chord acts as a smooth bridge between the tonic and dominant in this three-chord country pattern. The minor quality of the ii adds a touch of melancholy common in country songwriting.

Pattern: I – ii – V   Example in C Major: C – Dm – G

Genre: country, folk   Difficulty: intermediate

Choose a Key

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

Song Examples