Chord progression · C♯ major

The minor-feel pop progression (vi–IV–I–V) in C♯ 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 C♯ major
A♯m→F♯→C♯→G♯
Numerals
viIVIV

Play along

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

1A♯mvi
2F♯IV
3C♯I
4G♯V

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

The chords

vi A♯m
×1A♯3E♯4A♯2C♯1E♯
3A♯1C♯1E♯1A♯
C4E♯A♯C♯A♯ C♯ E♯
IV F♯
1F♯3C♯4F♯2A♯1C♯1F♯
4A♯1C♯3F♯2A♯
C4A♯C♯F♯F♯/A♯
I C♯
4fr×1C♯2G♯3C♯4E♯1G♯
1G♯2C♯3E♯4C♯
C4E♯C♯G♯C♯ E♯ G♯
V G♯
4fr1G♯3D♯4G♯2B♯1D♯1G♯
1G♯2D♯4G♯3B♯
B♯D♯G♯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.