I–ii–iii–IV

This stepwise ascending progression walks up the scale from I through ii and iii to IV. The steady upward motion creates a sense of building anticipation and emotional lift.

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

Genre: pop, rock   Difficulty: intermediate

Choose a Key

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

Song Examples