J-pop · Intermediate · major key
Komuro progression (vi–IV–V–I)
vi – IV – V – I — Dramatic and driving: starts dark and climbs to a bright resolution. A 1990s J-pop staple.
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 – V – I — in C major that is Am – F – G – C. 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.
- V — the tension chord that wants to resolve home.
- I — the home chord — the progression feels finished when it lands here.
Komuro progression (vi–IV–V–I) in all 12 keys
| Key | Chords | Hear / play |
|---|---|---|
| C major | AmFGC | Looper |
| G major | EmCDG | Looper |
| D major | BmGAD | Looper |
| A major | F#mDEA | Looper |
| E major | C#mABE | Looper |
| B major | G#mEF#B | Looper |
| F# major | D#mBC#F# | Looper |
| Db major | BbmGbAbDb | Looper |
| Ab major | FmDbEbAb | Looper |
| Eb major | CmAbBbEb | Looper |
| Bb major | GmEbFBb | Looper |
| F major | DmBbCF | 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
- Anime chorus climb (IV–V–iii–vi–IV–V–I) IV – V – iii – vi – IV – V – I – I
- Royal Road (J-pop "ōdō" progression) IVmaj7 – V7 – iii7 – vi
- J-pop ii–V–I–vi ii7 – V7 – Imaj7 – vi7
- Acoustic add9 loop Iadd9 – V – vi – IVadd9
- I–vi–IV–ii–V I – vi – IV – ii – V
← I–vi–iii–IV · vi–V–IV–V →
← All 198 chord progressions · Generate a new one
Questions
What chords are in the vi – IV – V – I progression?
In G major: Em – C – D – G. In C major / A minor: Am – F – G – C. The table on this page lists all 12 keys.
What is the best key to play vi – IV – V – 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.