# vi-IV-I-V (chord progression) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 24, 2006, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vi-iv-i-v-chord-progression/369989 "2006-08-24T02:39:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![The\_Composer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/898d66/32.png) [@The\_Composer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Composer)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2006, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vi-iv-i-v-chord-progression/369989/21 "2006-08-25T19:46:39Z")
[QUOTE=Greenback] Quick question: How does VI correspond to a chord? Is there a chart some where I’m missing? [/QUOTE] On preview, I see this has already been answered, but the Roman numerals apply in any key, not just C. I is always the root of the key for major keys. So, in E-flat, you’d have E-flat, Fm, Gm, A-flat, B-flat, Cm, D-dim, E-flat The numbers are based on the triads created based on walking up the (in this case, major) scale of the key: E-flat, F, G, A-flat, B-flat, C, D, E-flat. I: E-flat, G, B-flat ii: F, A-flat, C iii: G, B-flat, D IV: A-flat, C, E-flat V: B-flat, D, F vi: C, E-flat, G vii-dim: D, F, A-flat I: E-flat, G, B-flat The chord structures are a little different for minor keys. ---
**Author:** ![Ximenean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/aca169/32.png) [@Ximenean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ximenean)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2006, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vi-iv-i-v-chord-progression/369989/22 "2006-08-25T19:46:54Z")
The vi is simply the chord formed by starting at the sixth note of whatever key you’re in, and taking the next two alternate notes from the scale i.e. the 6th, 8th (=1st) and 10th (=3rd) notes. So in the key of D Major, the vi is B minor. It’s a minor chord because that’s just the way the intervals fall in the major scale, so it’s denoted by lower-case Roman numerals. Major chords are upper-case. It’s allows you to refer to chords without reference to the key they’re in. A-D-E and C-F-G are both I-IV-V progressions, assuming they occur in keys A major and C major respectively ---
**Author:** ![Loopydude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e56c9b/32.png) [@Loopydude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopydude)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2006, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vi-iv-i-v-chord-progression/369989/23 "2006-08-25T19:48:49Z")
[QUOTE=Frylock] What’s the techincal term I’m after with this “first” talk? Is it just the “tonic” of the chord? Or does “tonic” only apply to a particular note in a scale? Gah! I can’t remember! -FrL- [/QUOTE] The I chord is the chord of which the root is the tonic. The root of a C chord being played in the key of C is, hence, also the tonic. The root of the V chord in this key, G, is also the 5th interval from C, and so forth. ---
**Author:** ![Loopydude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e56c9b/32.png) [@Loopydude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopydude)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2006, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vi-iv-i-v-chord-progression/369989/24 "2006-08-25T19:50:08Z")
Too slow today. ---
**Author:** ![Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a9a28c/32.png) [@Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oslo_Ostragoth)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2006, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vi-iv-i-v-chord-progression/369989/25 "2006-08-26T02:11:00Z")
Interesting discussion, but over my head. Anybody got the internet chops to post online somewhere an mp3 of the progression under discussion? ---
**Author:** ![El\_Gaucho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ea5d25/32.png) [@El\_Gaucho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Gaucho)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2006, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vi-iv-i-v-chord-progression/369989/26 "2006-08-26T05:34:01Z")
If u know 1 it’s hard to know 2, but 3 and four sound too suspended in discussion to take serious. and 9 is full of it self. lets always remember #11. (i mean 13? so last year…) ---
**Author:** ![wolf\_meister](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolf_meister/32/15202_2.png) [@wolf\_meister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolf_meister)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2006, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vi-iv-i-v-chord-progression/369989/27 "2006-08-26T17:50:23Z")
**Usram** came up with a great example with “ **Listen To Your Heart** ” by **Roxette**. I think I’ve got another one - “ **Peace of Mind** ” by **Boston**. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vi-iv-i-v-chord-progression/369989.md?page=1)