You may know how to form and play the I, IV and V chords. Now, it’s time learn about the ii, iii, and vi chords.

Constructing ii, iii, and vi chords

These chords are built from the 2nd, 3rd and 6th notes of a scale and are all minor chords. Note that these chords come from the same key as the I, IV and V chords. Let’s take the key of D for example:

D = IEm = iiF#m = iiiG = IVA = VBm = vi

Note that the chords built on the 2nd, 3rd and 6th notes of the key of D are Em - F#m and Bm.

Therefore, the ii - iii - vi chord pattern for the key of D is:Em (note ii) = E - G - B (1st + 3rd + 5th notes of the Em scale)F#m (note iii) = F# - A - C# (1st + 3rd + 5th notes of the F#m scale)Bm (note vi) = B - D - F# (1st + 3rd + 5th notes of the Bm scale)

Memorize all the minor chords for every key. If you combine these chords with the major chords that form the I - IV - V pattern your melodies will become fuller and less predictable.

Below is a table where you can easily see the ii, iii and vi chords in every key. Clicking on the chord name will bring you to an illustration which will show you how to play each chord on a keyboard.

The ii, iii and vi Chords

Major Key - Chord Pattern

Key of C Dm - Em - Am

Key of D Em - F#m - Bm

Key of E F#m - G#m - C#m

Key of F Gm - Am - Dm

Key of G Am - Bm - Em

Key of A Bm - C#m - ​F#m

Key of B C#m - D#m - G#m

Key of Db Ebm - Fm - Bbm

Key of Eb Fm - Gm - Cm

Key of Gb Abm - Bbm - Ebm

Key of Ab Bbm - Cm - Fm

Key of Bb Cm - Dm - Gm

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The I - IV - V Chord Pattern

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Beginner Bass Chords for Piano in C Major

How a Diminished Chord Is Created

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Major Triad Chords for Piano

Minor Triad Chords for Piano: Sharps

Introduction to Major and Minor Piano Scales

Minor Triad Chords for Piano: Flats

Key Signatures With Flats

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You may know how to form and play the I, IV and V chords. Now, it’s time learn about the ii, iii, and vi chords.

Constructing ii, iii, and vi chords

These chords are built from the 2nd, 3rd and 6th notes of a scale and are all minor chords. Note that these chords come from the same key as the I, IV and V chords. Let’s take the key of D for example:

D = IEm = iiF#m = iiiG = IVA = VBm = vi

Note that the chords built on the 2nd, 3rd and 6th notes of the key of D are Em - F#m and Bm.

Therefore, the ii - iii - vi chord pattern for the key of D is:Em (note ii) = E - G - B (1st + 3rd + 5th notes of the Em scale)F#m (note iii) = F# - A - C# (1st + 3rd + 5th notes of the F#m scale)Bm (note vi) = B - D - F# (1st + 3rd + 5th notes of the Bm scale)

Memorize all the minor chords for every key. If you combine these chords with the major chords that form the I - IV - V pattern your melodies will become fuller and less predictable.

Below is a table where you can easily see the ii, iii and vi chords in every key. Clicking on the chord name will bring you to an illustration which will show you how to play each chord on a keyboard.

The ii, iii and vi Chords

Major Key - Chord Pattern

Key of C Dm - Em - Am

Key of D Em - F#m - Bm

Key of E F#m - G#m - C#m

Key of F Gm - Am - Dm

Key of G Am - Bm - Em

Key of A Bm - C#m - ​F#m

Key of B C#m - D#m - G#m

Key of Db Ebm - Fm - Bbm

Key of Eb Fm - Gm - Cm

Key of Gb Abm - Bbm - Ebm

Key of Ab Bbm - Cm - Fm

Key of Bb Cm - Dm - Gm

Featured Video

The I - IV - V Chord Pattern

Minor Triad Chords for Piano

Beginner Bass Chords for Piano in C Major

How a Diminished Chord Is Created

Key Signatures With Sharps

Major Triad Chords for Piano

Minor Triad Chords for Piano: Sharps

Introduction to Major and Minor Piano Scales

Minor Triad Chords for Piano: Flats

Key Signatures With Flats

Minor Piano Scales for Beginners

Minor Scales: Natural, Harmonic, and Melodic

Parallel Keys and Scales

rolled chord

Printable Piano Lesson Book

key signature

When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Cookies Settings Reject All Accept Cookies

You may know how to form and play the I, IV and V chords. Now, it’s time learn about the ii, iii, and vi chords.

Constructing ii, iii, and vi chords

These chords are built from the 2nd, 3rd and 6th notes of a scale and are all minor chords. Note that these chords come from the same key as the I, IV and V chords. Let’s take the key of D for example:

D = IEm = iiF#m = iiiG = IVA = VBm = vi

Note that the chords built on the 2nd, 3rd and 6th notes of the key of D are Em - F#m and Bm.

Therefore, the ii - iii - vi chord pattern for the key of D is:Em (note ii) = E - G - B (1st + 3rd + 5th notes of the Em scale)F#m (note iii) = F# - A - C# (1st + 3rd + 5th notes of the F#m scale)Bm (note vi) = B - D - F# (1st + 3rd + 5th notes of the Bm scale)

Memorize all the minor chords for every key. If you combine these chords with the major chords that form the I - IV - V pattern your melodies will become fuller and less predictable.

Below is a table where you can easily see the ii, iii and vi chords in every key. Clicking on the chord name will bring you to an illustration which will show you how to play each chord on a keyboard.

The ii, iii and vi Chords

Major Key - Chord Pattern

Key of C Dm - Em - Am

Key of D Em - F#m - Bm

Key of E F#m - G#m - C#m

Key of F Gm - Am - Dm

Key of G Am - Bm - Em

Key of A Bm - C#m - ​F#m

Key of B C#m - D#m - G#m

Key of Db Ebm - Fm - Bbm

Key of Eb Fm - Gm - Cm

Key of Gb Abm - Bbm - Ebm

Key of Ab Bbm - Cm - Fm

Key of Bb Cm - Dm - Gm

You may know how to form and play the I, IV and V chords. Now, it’s time learn about the ii, iii, and vi chords.

Constructing ii, iii, and vi chords

These chords are built from the 2nd, 3rd and 6th notes of a scale and are all minor chords. Note that these chords come from the same key as the I, IV and V chords. Let’s take the key of D for example:

D = IEm = iiF#m = iiiG = IVA = VBm = vi

Note that the chords built on the 2nd, 3rd and 6th notes of the key of D are Em - F#m and Bm.

Therefore, the ii - iii - vi chord pattern for the key of D is:Em (note ii) = E - G - B (1st + 3rd + 5th notes of the Em scale)F#m (note iii) = F# - A - C# (1st + 3rd + 5th notes of the F#m scale)Bm (note vi) = B - D - F# (1st + 3rd + 5th notes of the Bm scale)

Memorize all the minor chords for every key. If you combine these chords with the major chords that form the I - IV - V pattern your melodies will become fuller and less predictable.

Below is a table where you can easily see the ii, iii and vi chords in every key. Clicking on the chord name will bring you to an illustration which will show you how to play each chord on a keyboard.

The ii, iii and vi Chords

Major Key - Chord Pattern

Key of C Dm - Em - Am

Key of D Em - F#m - Bm

Key of E F#m - G#m - C#m

Key of F Gm - Am - Dm

Key of G Am - Bm - Em

Key of A Bm - C#m - ​F#m

Key of B C#m - D#m - G#m

Key of Db Ebm - Fm - Bbm

Key of Eb Fm - Gm - Cm

Key of Gb Abm - Bbm - Ebm

Key of Ab Bbm - Cm - Fm

Key of Bb Cm - Dm - Gm

Featured Video

Featured Video

Featured Video

Featured Video

Featured Video

Featured Video

  • The I - IV - V Chord Pattern

  • Minor Triad Chords for Piano

  • Beginner Bass Chords for Piano in C Major

  • How a Diminished Chord Is Created

  • Key Signatures With Sharps

  • Major Triad Chords for Piano

  • Minor Triad Chords for Piano: Sharps

  • Introduction to Major and Minor Piano Scales

  • Minor Triad Chords for Piano: Flats

  • Key Signatures With Flats

  • Minor Piano Scales for Beginners

  • Minor Scales: Natural, Harmonic, and Melodic

  • Parallel Keys and Scales

  • rolled chord

  • Printable Piano Lesson Book

  • key signature

The I - IV - V Chord Pattern

The I - IV - V Chord Pattern

Minor Triad Chords for Piano

Minor Triad Chords for Piano

Beginner Bass Chords for Piano in C Major

Beginner Bass Chords for Piano in C Major

How a Diminished Chord Is Created

How a Diminished Chord Is Created

Key Signatures With Sharps

Key Signatures With Sharps

Major Triad Chords for Piano

Major Triad Chords for Piano

Minor Triad Chords for Piano: Sharps

Minor Triad Chords for Piano: Sharps

Introduction to Major and Minor Piano Scales

Introduction to Major and Minor Piano Scales

Minor Triad Chords for Piano: Flats

Minor Triad Chords for Piano: Flats

Key Signatures With Flats

Key Signatures With Flats

Minor Piano Scales for Beginners

Minor Piano Scales for Beginners

Minor Scales: Natural, Harmonic, and Melodic

Minor Scales: Natural, Harmonic, and Melodic

Parallel Keys and Scales

Parallel Keys and Scales

rolled chord

rolled chord

Printable Piano Lesson Book

Printable Piano Lesson Book

key signature

key signature

Home

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About Us Advertise Careers Privacy Policy Editorial Guidelines Contact Terms of Use EU Privacy

LiveAbout is part of the Dotdash Meredith publishing family.

Home

Home

Entertainment

Careers

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  • Careers

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  • Terms of Use

  • EU Privacy

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LiveAbout is part of the Dotdash Meredith publishing family.

When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Cookies Settings Reject All Accept Cookies