Classical · Intermediate · major key
Pachelbel's Canon progression
I – V – vi – iii – IV – I – IV – V — Eight chords that walk down the bass line in steps. Used in thousands of songs since 1700.
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 I – V – vi – iii – IV – I – IV – V — in C major that is C – G – Am – Em – F – C – F – G. Each numeral is a step of the scale; upper case is a major chord, lower case minor.
- I — the home chord — the progression feels finished when it lands here.
- V — the tension chord that wants to resolve home.
- vi — the relative minor — the "sad" chord of a major key.
- iii — a gentle minor chord that shares two notes with I.
- IV — a bright, open chord a fourth above home — the "amen" chord.
Pachelbel's Canon progression in all 12 keys
| Key | Chords | Hear / play |
|---|---|---|
| C major | CGAmEmFCFG | Looper |
| G major | GDEmBmCGCD | Looper |
| D major | DABmF#mGDGA | Looper |
| A major | AEF#mC#mDADE | Looper |
| E major | EBC#mG#mAEAB | Looper |
| B major | BF#G#mD#mEBEF# | Looper |
| F# major | F#C#D#mA#mBF#BC# | Looper |
| Db major | DbAbBbmFmGbDbGbAb | Looper |
| Ab major | AbEbFmCmDbAbDbEb | Looper |
| Eb major | EbBbCmGmAbEbAbBb | Looper |
| Bb major | BbFGmDmEbBbEbF | Looper |
| F major | FCDmAmBbFBbC | Looper |
Songs that use it
- Canon in D — Johann Pachelbel
Song examples use this progression (or a very close variant) in at least one main section; keys and voicings differ.
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
- Major circle of fifths I – IV – vii° – iii – vi – ii – V – I
- Deceptive cadence (V–vi) I – IV – V – vi
- Scale climb I–iii–IV–V–vi I – iii – IV – V – vi
- I–V–vi–iii–IV I – V – vi – iii – IV
- Extended Canon turnaround I – V – vi – iii – IV – I – ii – V
- Anime chorus climb (IV–V–iii–vi–IV–V–I) IV – V – iii – vi – IV – V – I – I
← I–vi–I–vi–IV–V ballad · Royal Road (J-pop "ōdō" progression) →
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Questions
What chords are in the I – V – vi – iii – IV – I – IV – V progression?
In G major: G – D – Em – Bm – C – G – C – D. In C major / A minor: C – G – Am – Em – F – C – F – G. The table on this page lists all 12 keys.
What is the best key to play I – V – vi – iii – IV – I – IV – V on guitar?
G major uses the most open-position chord shapes in standard tuning. Use a capo with those shapes to reach other keys.
What songs use the pachelbel's canon progression?
For example: Canon in D — Johann Pachelbel.