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Chord progression · A major

The minor-feel pop progression (vi–IV–I–V) in A major

The pop progression started from the minor vi chord, so it feels darker and more urgent while using exactly the same chords.

Heard in “Zombie” – The Cranberries and many more.

Chords in A major
F♯m→D→A→E
Numerals
viIVIV

Play along

4 bars of 4 beats, looping · pick a key above to transpose

1F♯mvi
2DIV
3AI
4EV

Strum pattern: ↓   ↓↑  ↑↓↑ (down, down-up, up-down-up) — count “1 2 & 3 & 4 &”. Learn this strum →

The chords

vi F♯m
1F♯3C♯4F♯1A1C♯1F♯
2A1C♯3F♯A
AC5F♯C♯F♯ A C♯
IV D
××D1A3D2F♯
1A2D3F♯A
AC5DF♯D/F♯
I A
×A1E2A3C♯E
2A1C♯EA
EAC5C♯A/E
V E
E2B3E1G♯BE
1G♯4EE2B
EBC5G♯E G♯ B

Piano voicings use inversions so each chord is as close as possible to the one before — your hand barely moves. Switch to “Root position” to compare.

vi–IV–I–V in every key

CD♭DE♭EFF♯GA♭AB♭B

More progressions in A major

I–V–vi–IVI–IV–V–IVI–vi–IV–V12-bar bluesii–V–II–vi–ii–VI–V–vi–iii–IV–I–IV–VI–♭VII–IV–I