What chords are in the Pachelbel progression in C major?

In C major the Pachelbel progression is C – G – Am – Em – F – C – F – G. The same numerals give G – D – Em – Bm – C – G – C – D in G major; the table above lists all twelve keys.

What songs use the Pachelbel progression?

"Canon in D" by Johann Pachelbel, "Basket Case" by Green Day and "Go West" by Pet Shop Boys are built on it, at least in the section each is known for.

Pachelbel progression — Chords in Every Key, Songs & How It Works

StyleKeyInstrumentTempo100 BPMLoop

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)
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 →
Deceptive cadence
V – vi
1. G
2. Am
in C major · 4 beats per chord
Chords in every key →

Samples: Salamander Grand Piano (CC-BY 3.0)

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Pachelbel progression — how it works

The Pachelbel progression is the eight-chord ground bass of Pachelbel’s Canon: a descending sequence of falling fourths and rising seconds that circles through every chord of the key before the V hands it back to the start.

Each chord lasts 2 beats, so one pass of the 8 chords is 4 bars of 4/4.

In C major the chords are C – G – Am – Em – F – C – F – G; in G major they are G – D – Em – Bm – C – G – C – D. 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 Pachelbel progression 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	C – G – Am – Em – F – C – F – G
D♭ major	D♭ – A♭ – B♭m – Fm – G♭ – D♭ – G♭ – A♭
D major	D – A – Bm – F♯m – G – D – G – A
E♭ major	E♭ – B♭ – Cm – Gm – A♭ – E♭ – A♭ – B♭
E major	E – B – C♯m – G♯m – A – E – A – B
F major	F – C – Dm – Am – B♭ – F – B♭ – C
F♯ major	F♯ – C♯ – D♯m – A♯m – B – F♯ – B – C♯
G major	G – D – Em – Bm – C – G – C – D
A♭ major	A♭ – E♭ – Fm – Cm – D♭ – A♭ – D♭ – E♭
A major	A – E – F♯m – C♯m – D – A – D – E
B♭ major	B♭ – F – Gm – Dm – E♭ – B♭ – E♭ – F
B major	B – F♯ – G♯m – D♯m – E – B – E – F♯

Songs that use it

Well-known songs built on this progression, at least in the section each is known for:

Canon in D — Johann Pachelbel
Basket Case — Green Day
Go West — Pet Shop Boys

Frequently asked questions

What chords are in the Pachelbel progression in C major?: In C major the Pachelbel progression is C – G – Am – Em – F – C – F – G. The same numerals give G – D – Em – Bm – C – G – C – D in G major; the table above lists all twelve keys.
What are the roman numerals for the Pachelbel progression?: The Pachelbel progression is I–V–vi–iii–IV–I–IV–V — also called the Canon in D progression. The Pachelbel progression is the eight-chord ground bass of Pachelbel’s Canon: a descending sequence of falling fourths and rising seconds that circles through every chord of the key before the V hands it back to the start.
How long is the Pachelbel progression?: Each chord lasts 2 beats, so one pass of the 8 chords is 4 bars of 4/4.
What songs use the Pachelbel progression?: "Canon in D" by Johann Pachelbel, "Basket Case" by Green Day and "Go West" by Pet Shop Boys are built on it, at least in the section each is known for.