vi–V–IV–V

The lamenting progression — plaintive and undecided — the saddest of the common four-chord loops.

Degrees: vi–V–IV–V
Mode: major
Bars: 4
In C major: Am – G – F – G

The progression in C major

In all twelve keys

The same degrees, shifted twelve times. To move a song into another key, read off the row.

Key	vi	V	IV	V
C major	Am	G	F	G
G major	Em	D	C	D
D major	Bm	A	G	A
A major	F#m	E	D	E
E major	C#m	B	A	B
B major	G#m	F#	E	F#
F major	Dm	C	Bb	C
Bb major	Gm	F	Eb	F
Eb major	Cm	Bb	Ab	Bb
Ab major	Fm	Eb	Db	Eb
Db major	Bbm	Ab	Gb	Ab
F# major	D#m	C#	B	C#

Why it sounds that way

It begins on the relative minor and never returns to the tonic. It swings between the fifth and fourth degrees without arriving; the ear waits for a resolution that never comes. That is exactly where the effect lies.

Where you hear it

Africa — Toto (Refrain)
Hotel California (Teile)
Wonderwall — Oasis (Teile)

Related progressions

vi–IV–I–VThe same four, starting minor i–VII–VI–VIIThe minor loop

Anotona does this for you

Photograph a page of sheet music or play the melody — Anotona finds the key, engraves the notes and transposes them into any other. Free.

See Anotona

Every note on this page is computed, not typed in — following the rule that also makes F# major spell its seventh degree E#, not F.