Rock · Intermediate · major key

Descending vi–V–IV–iii

vi – V – IV – iii — A stepwise fall down the scale — moody and 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 vi – V – IV – iii — in C major that is Am – G – F – Em. 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.
• V — the tension chord that wants to resolve home.
• IV — a bright, open chord a fourth above home — the "amen" chord.
• iii — a gentle minor chord that shares two notes with I.

Descending vi–V–IV–iii in all 12 keys

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

• Anime chorus climb (IV–V–iii–vi–IV–V–I) IV – V – iii – vi – IV – V – I – I
• Major circle of fifths I – IV – vii° – iii – vi – ii – V – I
• Extended Canon turnaround I – V – vi – iii – IV – I – ii – V
• Royal Road (J-pop "ōdō" progression) IVmaj7 – V7 – iii7 – vi
• Royal Road full cadence IVmaj7 – V7 – iii7 – vi – ii7 – V7 – I – I
• Pachelbel's Canon progression I – V – vi – iii – IV – I – IV – V

← vi–iii–IV–I · I–ii–iii–ii rocking line →

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