vi iii IV I Chord Progression
In the key of C major the vi-iii-IV-I progression is Am Em F C. In the Nashville Number System it is written 6m 3m 4 1.
Jump to the chords and audio in C, G, D, A and E
Why it works
This is the middle of the Pachelbel sequence taken as its own phrase: vi falls to iii, then IV steps up and closes plagally on I. With no V anywhere it sounds soft and reflective. It is diatonic to the major scale.
Songs that use it
These are the chords as played in each song, in the song's own key.
| Song | Artist | Section | Chords | Key |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wake Me Up When September Ends | Green Day | pre-chorus | Em Bm C G | G major |
| Dream Police | Cheap Trick | verse | F#m C#m D A | A major |
vi iii IV I 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
- Romanesca (major-key form): C G Am Em
- ii-IV-V climb: Dm F G
- I-vi: C Am
- vi-IV: Am F
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 vi-iii-IV-I progression in each key?
In C major: Am Em F C. In G major: Em Bm C G. In D major: Bm F#m G D. In A major: F#m C#m D A. In E major: C#m G#m A E.
Which songs use the vi-iii-IV-I progression?
Songs that use it include Wake Me Up When September Ends by Green Day, Dream Police by Cheap Trick.
