Part II

vi Chord

ii7-examples

The vi chord is used in two ways. As shown here, it can be used as part of a regular chord progression that starts on I and moves towards V before finally returning to I.

We can expand our summary of root movements from Part I to include vi:

I-vi-IV-ii-V-I

Note that the root movement above can include inversions and any seventh chords. V also includes vii6 and the cadential six-four chord. From this summary of root movements, we can see that vi can move to IV, ii, or directly to V.

If a root position vi chord moves directly to V in root position, care must be taken to avoid parallel fifths and octaves.

For a root position vi chord. double the root. If used in first inversion, double the third.

In C Major: 


vi = A C E A

vi6 = A C E C

We show here only a few basic models from the many possibilities that can include inversions, seventh chords, the cadential six-four chord and so on. 


       
       E - F  (s)         E - F (s)       E - G (sk)
       C - C  (ct)        C - D (s)       C - D (s)
       A - A  (ct)        A - A (ct)      A - B (s)
-----  ------            ------           ------
Bass:  A - F              A - D           A - G  bass moves by step!
C+:   vi - IV            vi - ii         vi - V


       E - D (s)
       C - B (s)
       A - F (sk)
-----  -----
Bass:  C - D
C+  : vi6- vii6