vi V I Chord Progression

In the key of C major the vi-V-I progression is Am G C. In the Nashville Number System it is written 6m 5 1.

Jump to the chords and audio in C, G, D, A and E

Why it works

From the minor chord the bass steps down to V, which then resolves to I with a real cadence. The loop keeps a bright, folky lift, and no IV is needed. 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
Riptide	Vance Joy	verse and chorus	Bbm Ab Db	Db major
Hanging by a Moment	Lifehouse	chorus	Bbm Ab Db	Db major
The Night We Met	Lord Huron	verse	F#m E A	A major

vi V 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.

Key of C major

Key of G major

Key of D major

Key of A major

F#m

Key of E major

C#m

More progressions like this one

vi-I-V-IV: Am C G F
I-vi-V-IV: C Am G F
I-IV: C F
I-V: C G

All guitar chord progressions →

Created by

Giancarlo Facoetti

Giancarlo is a musician (teaching guitar since 2000), software engineer, AI consultant and published researcher

FAQ

What are the chords of the vi-V-I progression in each key?

In C major: Am G C. In G major: Em D G. In D major: Bm A D. In A major: F#m E A. In E major: C#m B E.

Which songs use the vi-V-I progression?

Songs that use it include Riptide by Vance Joy, Hanging by a Moment by Lifehouse, The Night We Met by Lord Huron.