Pop progression (Axis) (I – V – vi – IV)

The best-known progression in modern pop: tonic, dominant, relative minor, subdominant. Almost any melody fits over it.

In C major

Open in the generator (rhythm, transpose, MIDI) →

In all 12 keys

Mode: major. The capo column shows the fret where most chords become easy open shapes.

Key	Chords	Capo
C major	C – G – Am – F	5.
D♭ major	D♭ – A♭ – B♭m – G♭	6.
D major	D – A – Bm – G	7.
E♭ major	E♭ – B♭ – Cm – A♭	1.
E major	E – B – C♯m – A	2.
F major	F – C – Dm – B♭	3.
F♯ major	F♯ – C♯ – D♯m – B	4.
G major	G – D – Em – C	–
A♭ major	A♭ – E♭ – Fm – D♭	1.
A major	A – E – F♯m – D	2.
B♭ major	B♭ – F – Gm – E♭	3.
B major	B – F♯ – G♯m – E	4.

Similar progressions

Frequently asked questions

What are the chords of the Pop progression (Axis) in C major?

C – G – Am – F (I – V – vi – IV).

Which key is easiest on guitar?

With only open chords and no capo: G major. For other keys, the capo column in the table shows where to clamp it.

What do the Roman numerals mean?

The degrees of the key: I = tonic (1st degree), IV = 4th, V = 5th. Upper case is a major chord, lower case minor; ° means diminished, ø half-diminished and ♭ a lowered degree. That's what lets you move the progression to any key.

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