vi–IV–I–V chord progression
The minor-feel pop loop. In G major it's Em – C – G – D. Press play, then pick any key from the menu.
In G major, 4 beats per chord. Open in the progression builder
- viEm
- IVC
- IG
- VD
Why it works
The same four chords as I–V–vi–IV, starting on the minor chord. Starting on Em makes the loop sound minor and yearning at first, then G arrives like sunlight. Because the ear never gets a firm V–I cadence, it can hear either Em or G as home, and that ambiguity is the appeal: the same loop can sound hopeful or sad depending on the melody over it.
In a few words: bittersweet, anthemic.
What moves at each change
The bass line in G major is E – C – G – D. The smoothest way through it on piano:
- vi → IV: Em to C: play C in 1st inversion (E–G–C) and E and G stay under the same fingers, while B moves up to C.
- IV → I: C to G: play G in 1st inversion (B–D–G) and G stays under the same finger, while C moves down to B and E down to D.
- I → V: G to D: play D in 1st inversion (F♯–A–D) and D stays under the same finger, while G moves down to F♯ and B down to A.
- V → vi (back to the top): D to Em: play Em in root position (E–G–B), while D moves up to E, F♯ up to G and A up to B.
vi–IV–I–V in all 12 keys
The numerals never change; only the chord names do. Tap Play on any row, or open the key for its other chords.
| Key | Chords | |
|---|---|---|
| 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♯ | |
| D♭ major | B♭m – G♭ – D♭ – A♭ | |
| A♭ major | Fm – D♭ – A♭ – E♭ | |
| E♭ major | Cm – A♭ – E♭ – B♭ | |
| B♭ major | Gm – E♭ – B♭ – F | |
| F major | Dm – B♭ – F – C |
On guitar
The friendliest keys for vi–IV–I–V on guitar are G major and C major, where every chord is an open shape.
G major: Em – C – G – D
C major: Am – F – C – G
Somewhere else? A capo moves these shapes up: capo 2 turns G major shapes into the key a whole step higher. Capo chart.
Ways to vary it
- Play it slowly with sustained piano chords for a ballad, or with driving eighth notes for an anthem.
- Swap the V for the iii (Em in C) to keep the whole loop softer.
- Try it as vi–IV–I–V–vi–IV–V–V to delay the return and build a longer phrase.
Related progressions
Build your own progression and share it as a link
vi–IV–I–V: questions
What is the vi–IV–I–V chord progression?
The minor-feel pop loop: the chords on degrees 6, 4, 1, 5 of a major key. In G major that's Em – C – G – D.
Why does vi–IV–I–V sound good?
The same four chords as I–V–vi–IV, starting on the minor chord. Starting on Em makes the loop sound minor and yearning at first, then G arrives like sunlight.
How do I play vi–IV–I–V in G?
Em – C – G – D. Every one of those has an open shape on guitar.
How do I change vi–IV–I–V to another key?
Keep the numerals and swap the key: the numbers say which note of the scale each chord is built on. Use the key menu in the player above, or the table of all 12 keys on this page.
What else is vi–IV–I–V called?
"6 4 1 5". Musicians also call it the minor-feel pop loop.
Chords in every key are generated from the scale and checked by the site's theory tests. We describe progressions in general terms and don't transcribe songs. Updated September 2026.