Chord progression · major keys

The I V vi IV progression in all 12 keys

Four chords that carry a large share of pop songwriting. Start it on vi and it turns melancholy without changing a note. Also called "1 5 6 4", "axis progression" and "four chord progression".

How it moves, in C major

CI
GV
Amvi
FIV

C to G1 voice holds, 3 move, 8 semitones of motion in all.
G to Am0 voices hold, 4 move, 9 semitones of motion in all.
Am to F2 voices hold, 2 move, 5 semitones of motion in all.

In every major key

C major
1. C
2. G
3. Am
4. F
G major
1. G
2. D
3. Em
4. C
D major
1. D
2. A
3. Bm
4. G
A major
1. A
2. E
4. D
E major
1. E
2. B
4. A
B major
1. B
4. E
4. B
3. Fm
3. Cm
2. F
3. Gm
F major
1. F
2. C
3. Dm

Tonalia for iPhone

Learn this by ear, five minutes a day

Daily lessons where every question plays before you answer it. Section 1 is free forever. Tonalia is in beta; join the waitlist for one email when it is on the App Store.