Major-Key Romanesca Chord Progression (I V vi iii)
The Romanesca (major-key form) is the chord progression I-V-vi-iii. In the key of C major it is C G Am Em, and in the Nashville Number System it is written 1 5 6m 3m.
It is also known as first half of Pachelbel.
Jump to the chords and audio in C, G, D, A and E
Why it works
A descending frame in which each pair of chords drops a fourth and rises a step, which gives a stately, walking-down feel. The Renaissance romanesca is III-VII-i-V in minor, which is I-V-vi-III from the relative major with a major III, and Gjerdingen's galant Romanesca has the bass 1-7-6-3. Pop uses the diatonic minor iii.
Songs that use it
These are the chords as played in each song, in the song's own key.
| Song | Artist | Section | Chords | Key |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Memories | Maroon 5 | verse | B F# G#m D#m | B major |
| Cryin' | Aerosmith | verse | A E F#m C#m | A major |
| Basket Case | Green Day | verse | Eb Bb Cm Gm | Eb major |
| The End of the World | Skeeter Davis | verse | Bb F Gm Dm | Bb major |
| Greensleeves | Traditional | refrain | III VII i V |
Major-Key Romanesca Chord Progression: Chords and Audio in C, G, D, A and E
Press play to hear each key. The diagrams show the shapes used in the audio, and every chord links to its full page.
Longer progressions that contain it
- Pachelbel's Canon progression: C G Am Em F C F G
More progressions like this one
- ii-IV-V climb: Dm F G
- I-vi: C Am
- vi-IV: Am F
- Stepwise descent to I: F Em Dm C
All guitar chord progressions →
Created by
Giancarlo is a musician (teaching guitar since 2000), software engineer, AI consultant and published researcher
FAQ
What are the chords of the Romanesca (major-key form) in each key?
In C major: C G Am Em. In G major: G D Em Bm. In D major: D A Bm F#m. In A major: A E F#m C#m. In E major: E B C#m G#m.
Which songs use the Romanesca (major-key form)?
Songs that use it include Memories by Maroon 5, Cryin' by Aerosmith, Basket Case by Green Day.
