V–IV–I–vi in G Major

Pattern: V – IV – I – vi Chords: D – C – G – Em

Chord Breakdown

Numeral	Chord	Type	Function
V	D (details)	major	Dominant
IV	C (details)	major	Subdominant
I	G (details)	major	Tonic
vi	Em (details)	minor	Submediant

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through D (Dominant) → C (Subdominant) → G (Tonic) → Em (Submediant).

A turnaround played in reverse order that starts on the dominant and descends through the subdominant to the tonic. The vi chord at the end sets up a seamless repeat back to V.

Song Examples

Cantaloupe Island — Herbie Hancock
Watermelon Man — Herbie Hancock

Chord Details

D C G Em

More Progressions in G Major

I–IV–V–I I–V–vi–IV I–vi–IV–V ii–V–I I–IV–V I–♭VII–IV vi–IV–I–V I–V–vi–iii–IV–I–IV–V I–IV I–V IV–V IV–I