Pop · Beginner · major key
The "sad pop" progression
vi – IV – I – V — The pop axis started on the minor chord: moody and emotional, then hopeful on the last two chords.
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 vi – IV – I – V — in C major that is Am – F – C – G. Each numeral is a step of the scale; upper case is a major chord, lower case minor.
- vi — the relative minor — the "sad" chord of a major key.
- IV — a bright, open chord a fourth above home — the "amen" chord.
- I — the home chord — the progression feels finished when it lands here.
- V — the tension chord that wants to resolve home.
The "sad pop" progression in all 12 keys
| Key | Chords | Hear / play |
|---|---|---|
| C major | AmFCG | Looper |
| G major | EmCGD | Looper |
| D major | BmGDA | Looper |
| A major | F#mDAE | Looper |
| E major | C#mAEB | Looper |
| B major | G#mEBF# | Looper |
| F# major | D#mBF#C# | Looper |
| Db major | BbmGbDbAb | Looper |
| Ab major | FmDbAbEb | Looper |
| Eb major | CmAbEbBb | Looper |
| Bb major | GmEbBbF | Looper |
| F major | DmBbFC | Looper |
Songs that use it
- Zombie — The Cranberries
- Despacito — Luis Fonsi
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
- The pop "axis" progression I – V – vi – IV
- 50s / doo-wop progression I – vi – IV – V
- Axis progression (starting on IV) IV – I – V – vi
- Axis progression (starting on V) V – vi – IV – I
- I–IV–vi–V I – IV – vi – V
- I–V–vi–iii–IV I – V – vi – iii – IV
← Axis progression (starting on V) · Axis progression (starting on IV) →
← All 198 chord progressions · Generate a new one
Questions
What chords are in the vi – IV – I – V progression?
In G major: Em – C – G – D. In C major / A minor: Am – F – C – G. The table on this page lists all 12 keys.
What is the best key to play vi – IV – I – 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 the "sad pop" progression?
For example: Zombie — The Cranberries; Despacito — Luis Fonsi.