J-pop · Intermediate · major key
Anime chorus climb (IV–V–iii–vi–IV–V–I)
IV – V – iii – vi – IV – V – I – I — Builds tension twice before the big resolution — a chorus favourite.
Chord shapes in G major (standard tuning)
Using a different tuning? Open it in the Looper — it finds playable shapes for whatever tuning you choose.
How the chords work
Written in Roman numerals, this progression is IV – V – iii – vi – IV – V – I – I — in C major that is F – G – Em – Am – F – G – C – C. Each numeral is a step of the scale; upper case is a major chord, lower case minor.
- IV — a bright, open chord a fourth above home — the "amen" chord.
- V — the tension chord that wants to resolve home.
- iii — a gentle minor chord that shares two notes with I.
- vi — the relative minor — the "sad" chord of a major key.
- I — the home chord — the progression feels finished when it lands here.
Anime chorus climb (IV–V–iii–vi–IV–V–I) in all 12 keys
| Key | Chords | Hear / play |
|---|---|---|
| C major | FGEmAmFGCC | Looper |
| G major | CDBmEmCDGG | Looper |
| D major | GAF#mBmGADD | Looper |
| A major | DEC#mF#mDEAA | Looper |
| E major | ABG#mC#mABEE | Looper |
| B major | EF#D#mG#mEF#BB | Looper |
| F# major | BC#A#mD#mBC#F#F# | Looper |
| Db major | GbAbFmBbmGbAbDbDb | Looper |
| Ab major | DbEbCmFmDbEbAbAb | Looper |
| Eb major | AbBbGmCmAbBbEbEb | Looper |
| Bb major | EbFDmGmEbFBbBb | Looper |
| F major | BbCAmDmBbCFF | Looper |
Practice ideas
- Beginners: play one strum per chord and say the chord names out loud, then two strums, then a steady down-down-up-up-down-up pattern.
- Change keys with a capo: keep the G major shapes and move a capo up — the capo calculator shows which fret gives the key you want.
- Solo over it: loop it in the Looper and improvise with the G major pentatonic or G major scale — the scale pages show every position and play a backing track.
- Train your ear: the progression ear trainer mixes this with similar progressions until you can tell them apart.
Similar progressions
- Royal Road full cadence IVmaj7 – V7 – iii7 – vi – ii7 – V7 – I – I
- Royal Road (J-pop "ōdō" progression) IVmaj7 – V7 – iii7 – vi
- Komuro progression (vi–IV–V–I) vi – IV – V – I
- I–V–vi–iii–IV I – V – vi – iii – IV
- Pachelbel's Canon progression I – V – vi – iii – IV – I – IV – V
- Major circle of fifths I – IV – vii° – iii – vi – ii – V – I
← Royal Road full cadence · J-pop ii–V–I–vi →
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Questions
What chords are in the IV – V – iii – vi – IV – V – I – I progression?
In G major: C – D – Bm – Em – C – D – G – G. In C major / A minor: F – G – Em – Am – F – G – C – C. The table on this page lists all 12 keys.
What is the best key to play IV – V – iii – vi – IV – V – I – I on guitar?
G major uses the most open-position chord shapes in standard tuning. Use a capo with those shapes to reach other keys.