fretjam guitar lessons logo
Beginners
Fretboard
Chords
Scales

Lead
Rhythm
Progressions
Theory
Connections
Advice
Tuners
Blanks
Donate
Contact
About
email iconyoutube buttonPatreon
Home > Progressions > iii Chord

Using the Mediant iii Chord in Chord Progressions

Over the past lessons, we've been building the diatonic chord scale - a naturally occuring system of chords built on the 7 degrees of the major scale.

We've just built chords on each degree as opposed to playing them as single notes like the scales you use for lead soloing.

With the chord scale nearly complete, let's now add in the iii chord, known as the mediant in diatonic theory. Just think of it as the 3rd chord in the 7 chord scale we're building...

I     ii  iii     IV  V  vi  vii     

Just like in the other lessons, I'll first go through the iii chord's position in relation to the tonic (I) and other chords in the scale, then we'll look at how we can use the iii chord in various combinations with the other chord positions we've learned.


Mediant iii chord function

The iii chord, as represented by the lower case numerals, is naturally a minor chord. The first thing we need to do is listen to how it interacts with its related tonic chord, no matter what key you're playing in.

Let's say our tonic chord was C major. Its related mediant iii chord would therefore be E minor (since E is the third note of C major). We'll look at exactly how we work this out in more detail in a minute, but first I just want you to get a taste of the sound of this interval...

I     iii      Click to hear

What's interesting about the iii chord is it's rarely used in the above way, to resolve straight back to the tonic chord. It has more of a tendancy to lead either up to the IV chord, fall to the ii chord or move to the vi chord. It is therefore used more as a link to other chords on a journey away from the tonic. For example (using C major as our tonic again)...

I     iii     IV  Click to hear

I     iii     vi     V    Click to hear

We'll look at common uses of the 3 chord later.


I ii iii IV V vi intervals

Let's see how the iii chord fits in to the chord interval pattern we've been building in past lessons. Remember, each of these positions (degrees) represents the root note from which we can build chords, whether barre or other movable shapes. More on chords types in the chord section of the site.

Note that the 1st diagram slightly overlaps the next...

diatonic chord scale root pattern

chord scale pattern with tonic on A string

In both examples, look at where the iii chord appears in relation to other chords in the scale. Try and memorise these relationships. For example...
And remember... these interval relationships are movable, just like any scale! The entire scale keeps its relative formation as you change key, the key being defined by the tonic chord.

This is the most basic way to understand the relationship between chords in a scale, since once you know the root note intervals between them, you can start to build chords around those same intervals.


Chord progressions involving the iii chord

So now we have 6 chords from which we can draw various combinations (progressions). I know several songs that simply use I ii iii IV (or in reverse) as a straight sequence. I'm sure you can be more inventive than that! ;)

A few points:

I     iii     ii     V   click to hear

I - A major


iii - C# minor

              Fret 4 
ii - B minor

              Fret 2
V - E



ii  iii  ii  I   click to hear

ii - Abm7

              Fret 4
iii - Bbm7

              Fret 6
ii - Abm7

              Fret 4
I - F# major

               Fret 2

I     iii    vi    IV  click to hear

I - D major


iii - F# minor

              Fret 2
vi - B minor

              
Fret 2
IV - G major



As usual, experiment with your own combinations and don't forget to try modifications of chords that we've looked at in previous lessons, such as minor iv chords. There's more and more to think about as our creative options expand, but that's good! Keep referring to past lessons to refresh your memory.


  Like This? Subscribe & Learn More...

Subscribe to the fretjam newsletter below for updates and extras, plus grab your free copy of Uncommon Chords: 101 Vibrant Voicings You Won't Find on a Typical Chord Chart.

Enter Your Email To Get Your Free Copy




Don't worry -- your email address is totally secure.
I promise to use it only to send you the fretjam newsletter.

Related

Mediant Variation

Main Guitar Chord Progressions Section





         
                                Subscribe
 -  Donate  -  About  -  Contact  -  Site Policies


Subscribe to fretjam on YouTubesmall RSS feed buttonBe Yourself On Guitar                                                                      Copyright © 2022 fretjam.com