vi–IV–I–V

The vi–IV–I–V progression is a rotation of the famous I–V–vi–IV that begins on the minor chord, giving it an emotionally ambiguous character. Starting on vi lends a more melancholic or introspective feel while retaining the same harmonic loop. It is equally at home in major and relative-minor contexts.

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

Genre: pop, rock, indie Difficulty: beginner

Choose a Key

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

Song Examples

Numb — Linkin Park
Save Tonight — Eagle-Eye Cherry
Grenade — Bruno Mars

Related Progressions

I–V–vi–IV I–vi–IV–V