V–vi–IV–V

A progression that evades the expected tonic resolution by moving to vi, then circles back through IV to re-establish dominant tension. This technique extends phrases in Classical sonata development sections.

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

Genre: classical   Difficulty: intermediate

Choose a Key

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

Song Examples