Mandolin · Level 6 · Intermediate
Secondary dominants in C major on Mandolin
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A secondary dominant is the V7 of a chord other than I. Turning vi into VI7 makes it pull strongly towards ii, adding forward motion.
C
Notes: C · E · G
A7
Notes: A · C♯ · E · G
Dm
Notes: D · F · A
G7
Notes: G · B · D · F
HOW TO PRACTISE IT
Six steps to a clean loop.
- Play each chord on its own: C, A7, Dm and G7. Press play on the chord card, then match the sound.
- Mandolin frets are close together, so reach with the fingertips and press each pair of strings evenly.
- Set the tempo to 63 BPM and play the progression with one chord per bar. Hear how VI7 contains a note that is not in the key and wants to rise.
- Strum down on every beat, then try the bluegrass “chop”: a short, muted strum on beats two and four.
- Raise the tempo to 84 BPM once you can play the loop three times without stopping.
- Record one take, listen back and check for the strong pull from VI7 into ii.
Listen for
Aim for the strong pull from VI7 into ii. A common mistake is playing VI7 as the minor vi out of habit.
Why it works
VI7 is V7 of ii. Its major third is the raised fifth scale degree, which resolves up a half step.
C major has no sharps or flats; its relative minor key is A minor.
Questions
What are the chords in I–VI7–ii–V7 in C major?
In C major the progression is C | A7 | Dm | G7.
What is the key signature of C major?
C major has no sharps or flats. Its relative minor is A minor.
Is this lesson right for my level?
This is a level 6 lesson (intermediate). If it feels too hard, start with “The I–vi–ii–V turnaround”.
Your hands learn faster than your eyes.
Reading a chord chart is step one. Play it to a metronome, record it, and hear yourself get better, all in one app.
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