What chords are in the Deceptive cadence in C major?

In C major the Deceptive cadence is G – Am. The same numerals give D – Em in G major; the table above lists all twelve keys.

How long is the Deceptive cadence?

Each chord lasts 4 beats, so one pass of the 2 chords is 2 bars of 4/4. Loop it to keep the harmony going under a verse or a solo.

Deceptive cadence — Chords in Every Key, Songs & How It Works

StyleKeyInstrumentTempo100 BPMLoop

Deceptive cadence
V – vi
1. G
2. Am
in C major · 4 beats per chord
Pachelbel progression
I – V – vi – iii – IV – I – IV – V
1. C
2. G
3. Am
4. Em
5. F
6. C
7. F
8. G
in C major · 2 beats per chord
Used in: Canon in D (Johann Pachelbel) · Basket Case (Green Day) · Go West (Pet Shop Boys)
Chords in every key →
Circle-of-fifths sequence
I – IV – vii° – iii – vi – ii – V – I
1. C
2. F
3. Bdim
4. Em
5. Am
6. Dm
7. G
8. C
in C major · 2 beats per chord
Chords in every key →
Authentic cadence
V – I
1. G
2. C
in C major · 4 beats per chord
Chords in every key →
Plagal cadence
IV – I
1. F
2. C
in C major · 4 beats per chord
Chords in every key →

Samples: Salamander Grand Piano (CC-BY 3.0)

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Deceptive cadence — how it works

The Deceptive cadence sets up the dominant as if to end on the tonic and then lands on the relative minor instead, a surprise that keeps the phrase going — composers use it to delay an ending.

It moves from the dominant (V) to the submediant (vi) and then repeats. Each chord lasts 4 beats, so one pass of the 2 chords is 2 bars of 4/4.

In C major the chords are G – Am; in G major they are D – Em. Press play above to hear the progression, then pick the key that fits your voice or your song and set the tempo you want to practise at.

The Deceptive cadence in every key

The numerals stay the same; only the chords change. Find your key below, or pick it in the player above to hear it.

Key	Chords
C major	G – Am
D♭ major	A♭ – B♭m
D major	A – Bm
E♭ major	B♭ – Cm
E major	B – C♯m
F major	C – Dm
F♯ major	C♯ – D♯m
G major	D – Em
A♭ major	E♭ – Fm
A major	E – F♯m
B♭ major	F – Gm
B major	F♯ – G♯m

Frequently asked questions

What chords are in the Deceptive cadence in C major?: In C major the Deceptive cadence is G – Am. The same numerals give D – Em in G major; the table above lists all twelve keys.
What are the roman numerals for the Deceptive cadence?: The Deceptive cadence is V–vi — also called the interrupted cadence and V–vi. The Deceptive cadence sets up the dominant as if to end on the tonic and then lands on the relative minor instead, a surprise that keeps the phrase going — composers use it to delay an ending.
How long is the Deceptive cadence?: Each chord lasts 4 beats, so one pass of the 2 chords is 2 bars of 4/4. Loop it to keep the harmony going under a verse or a solo.