ii–V–IV–I in C Major

Pattern: ii – V – IV – I Chords: Dm – G – F – C

Chord Breakdown

Numeral	Chord	Type	Function
ii	Dm (details)	minor	Supertonic
V	G (details)	major	Dominant
IV	F (details)	major	Subdominant
I	C (details)	major	Tonic

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through Dm (Supertonic) → G (Dominant) → F (Subdominant) → C (Tonic).

A ii–V that detours through the subdominant before arriving at the tonic, combining authentic and plagal cadential motion. The IV chord softens the resolution, giving it a gospel-inflected warmth.

Song Examples

Body and Soul — Johnny Green
Misty — Erroll Garner

Chord Details

Dm G F C

More Progressions in C Major

I–IV–V–I I–V–vi–IV I–vi–IV–V ii–V–I I–IV–V I–♭VII–IV vi–IV–I–V I–V–vi–iii–IV–I–IV–V I–IV I–V IV–V IV–I