Folk · Intermediate · major key
I–ii–iii–ii rocking line
I – ii – iii – ii — Gentle stepwise motion that sways back and forth.
Chord shapes in C major (standard tuning)
Using a different tuning? Open it in the Looper — it finds playable shapes for whatever tuning you choose.
How the chords work
Written in Roman numerals, this progression is I – ii – iii – ii — in C major that is C – Dm – Em – Dm. Each numeral is a step of the scale; upper case is a major chord, lower case minor.
- I — the home chord — the progression feels finished when it lands here.
- ii — a soft minor chord that leads towards V (a "pre-dominant").
- iii — a gentle minor chord that shares two notes with I.
I–ii–iii–ii rocking line in all 12 keys
| Key | Chords | Hear / play |
|---|---|---|
| C major | CDmEmDm | Looper |
| G major | GAmBmAm | Looper |
| D major | DEmF#mEm | Looper |
| A major | ABmC#mBm | Looper |
| E major | EF#mG#mF#m | Looper |
| B major | BC#mD#mC#m | Looper |
| F# major | F#G#mA#mG#m | Looper |
| Db major | DbEbmFmEbm | Looper |
| Ab major | AbBbmCmBbm | Looper |
| Eb major | EbFmGmFm | Looper |
| Bb major | BbCmDmCm | Looper |
| F major | FGmAmGm | Looper |
Practice ideas
- Beginners: play one strum per chord and say the chord names out loud, then two strums, then a steady down-down-up-up-down-up pattern.
- Change keys with a capo: keep the C major shapes and move a capo up — the capo calculator shows which fret gives the key you want.
- Solo over it: loop it in the Looper and improvise with the C major pentatonic or C major scale — the scale pages show every position and play a backing track.
- Train your ear: the progression ear trainer mixes this with similar progressions until you can tell them apart.
Similar progressions
- Folk ballad (I–iii–vi–IV) I – iii – vi – IV
- Gospel walk-up I – ii – iii – IV – V
- Extended Canon turnaround I – V – vi – iii – IV – I – ii – V
- Falling IV–iii–ii–I IV – iii – ii – I
- Major circle of fifths I – IV – vii° – iii – vi – ii – V – I
- Royal Road full cadence IVmaj7 – V7 – iii7 – vi – ii7 – V7 – I – I
← Descending vi–V–IV–iii · I–V–ii–IV →
← All 198 chord progressions · Generate a new one
Questions
What chords are in the I – ii – iii – ii progression?
In C major: C – Dm – Em – Dm. In C major / A minor: C – Dm – Em – Dm. The table on this page lists all 12 keys.
What is the best key to play I – ii – iii – ii on guitar?
C major uses the most open-position chord shapes in standard tuning. Use a capo with those shapes to reach other keys.