Pop · Intermediate · major key
I–V–vi–iii–IV
I – V – vi – iii – IV — The first five chords of the Canon: a descending bass that feels inevitable.
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 — in C major that is C – G – Am – Em – F. 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.
I–V–vi–iii–IV in all 12 keys
| Key | Chords | Hear / play |
|---|---|---|
| C major | CGAmEmF | Looper |
| G major | GDEmBmC | Looper |
| D major | DABmF#mG | Looper |
| A major | AEF#mC#mD | Looper |
| E major | EBC#mG#mA | Looper |
| B major | BF#G#mD#mE | Looper |
| F# major | F#C#D#mA#mB | Looper |
| Db major | DbAbBbmFmGb | Looper |
| Ab major | AbEbFmCmDb | Looper |
| Eb major | EbBbCmGmAb | Looper |
| Bb major | BbFGmDmEb | Looper |
| F major | FCDmAmBb | 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
- Scale climb I–iii–IV–V–vi I – iii – IV – V – vi
- Extended Canon turnaround I – V – vi – iii – IV – I – ii – V
- I–vi–iii–IV I – vi – iii – IV
- I–vi–IV–ii–V I – vi – IV – ii – V
- vi–iii–IV–I vi – iii – IV – I
- The pop "axis" progression I – V – vi – IV
← Folk ballad (I–iii–vi–IV) · Montgomery-Ward bridge (I7–IV–II7–V) →
← All 198 chord progressions · Generate a new one
Questions
What chords are in the I – V – vi – iii – IV progression?
In G major: G – D – Em – Bm – C. In C major / A minor: C – G – Am – Em – F. The table on this page lists all 12 keys.
What is the best key to play I – V – vi – iii – IV on guitar?
G major uses the most open-position chord shapes in standard tuning. Use a capo with those shapes to reach other keys.