Chord progression · major keys

The Royal road progression progression in all 12 keys

Subdominant to dominant, then a sidestep to iii and vi instead of going home. A staple of J pop songwriting. Also called "4 5 3 6" and "ouendan progression".

How it moves, in C major

Fmaj7IVmaj7
G7V7
Em7iii7
Amvi

Fmaj7 to G71 voice holds, 3 move, 6 semitones of motion in all.
G7 to Em73 voices hold, 1 moves, 1 semitone of motion in all.
Em7 to Am1 voice holds, 3 move, 9 semitones of motion in all.

In every major key

C major
1. Fmaj7
2. G7
3. Em7
4. Am
G major
1. Cmaj7
2. D7
3. Bm7
4. Em
D major
1. Gmaj7
2. A7
4. Bm
A major
1. Dmaj7
2. E7
E major
1. Amaj7
2. B7
B major
1. Emaj7
1. Bmaj7
3. Fm7
3. Cm7
4. Fm
3. Gm7
4. Cm
2. F7
3. Dm7
4. Gm
F major
2. C7
3. Am7
4. Dm

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