viIVIV

Pop / Rock / Ballad · intermediate

vi-IV-I-V

Starts on the vi minor chord, giving it a more melancholic, introspective opening before lifting through IV-I-V. Extremely common in modern ballads.

melancholicemotionaldramaticintrospective

Hear vi-IV-I-V in Any Key

How to Identify It

Opening on the minor vi gives it an immediately darker, more emotional quality. The journey from minor to major within the progression creates emotional movement.

Famous Examples

  • Wicked Game — Chris Isaak
  • November Rain — Guns N' Roses
  • Grenade — Bruno Mars
  • Demons — Imagine Dragons
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vi-IV-I-V in All 12 Keys

CAm – F – C – GC#D♭Bbm – Gb – Db – AbDBm – G – D – AD#E♭Cm – Ab – Eb – BbEC#m – A – E – BFDm – Bb – F – CF#G♭D#m – B – F# – C#GEm – C – G – DG#A♭Fm – Db – Ab – EbAF#m – D – A – EA#B♭Gm – Eb – Bb – FBG#m – E – B – F#

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About the vi-IV-I-V Progression

The vi-IV-I-V progression uses the chords vi – IV – I – V from the major scale. Starts on the vi minor chord, giving it a more melancholic, introspective opening before lifting through IV-I-V. Extremely common in modern ballads.

To recognise the vi-IV-I-V by ear, focus on its characteristic mood — melancholic, emotional, dramatic, introspective. Practice hearing it in different keys using the player above. Each key gives the same harmonic movement but a different tonal colour, which is why being able to identify the progression regardless of key is the real skill.