I–V–vi–iii–IV–I–IV–V

Pachelbel's Canon progression is an eight-chord descending pattern originally composed around 1680. Its elegant stepwise bass line creates a sense of inevitability and grace that has made it one of the most borrowed progressions in pop music. From wedding ceremonies to chart-topping hits, this extended cycle continues to captivate listeners.

Pattern: I – V – vi – iii – IV – I – IV – V   Example in C Major: C – G – Am – Em – F – C – F – G

Genre: pop, classical, wedding   Difficulty: intermediate

Choose a Key

C Major C – G – Am – Em – F – C – F – G G Major G – D – Em – Bm – C – G – C – D D Major D – A – Bm – F♯m – G – D – G – A A Major A – E – F♯m – C♯m – D – A – D – E E Major E – B – C♯m – G♯m – A – E – A – B B Major B – F♯ – G♯m – D♯m – E – B – E – F♯ F♯ Major F♯ – C♯ – D♯m – A♯m – B – F♯ – B – C♯ F Major F – C – Dm – Am – B♭ – F – B♭ – C B♭ Major B♭ – F – Gm – Dm – E♭ – B♭ – E♭ – F E♭ Major E♭ – B♭ – Cm – Gm – A♭ – E♭ – A♭ – B♭ A♭ Major A♭ – E♭ – Fm – Cm – D♭ – A♭ – D♭ – E♭ D♭ Major D♭ – A♭ – Bbm – Fm – G♭ – D♭ – G♭ – A♭

Song Examples

Related Progressions

I–V–vi–IV I–vi–IV–V