vi-IV-I-V (chord progression)

Cafe Society
21

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.

22

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

23

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.

24

Too slow today.

25

Interesting discussion, but over my head. Anybody got the internet chops to post online somewhere an mp3 of the progression under discussion?

26

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…)

27

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.