Chord progression · G major

The minor-feel pop progression (vi–IV–I–V) in G 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 G major
Em→C→G→D
Numerals
viIVIV

Play along

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

1Emvi
2CIV
3GI
4DV

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

The chords

vi Em
E1B2EGBE
G3EE1B
C4EGBC5E G B
IV C
×3C2EG1CE
GCE1C
C4EGCC/E
I G
2G1BDGB3G
G1D3G2B
C4DGBC5G/D
V D
××D1A3D2F♯
1A2D3F♯A
C4DAC5F♯D F♯ A

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.