vi–IV–I–V · B major

G♯m – E – B – F♯

viG♯m · G♯ B D♯

IVE · E G♯ B

IB · B D♯ F♯

VF♯ · F♯ A♯ C♯

G♯m – E – B – F♯: the same four chords as I–V–vi–IV, started on the minor one. The Cranberries’ “Zombie” turns on this order. In B major they are vi, IV, I and V.

Smooth voicings — root in the left hand

The right hand takes whichever inversion is nearest, so it moves by a step or two instead of jumping.

G♯m vi · root position

1 · ♭3 · 5 over G♯ in the bass

E IV · first inversion

3 · 5 · 1 over E in the bass

B I · second inversion

5 · 1 · 3 over B in the bass

F♯ V · root position

1 · 3 · 5 over F♯ in the bass

Why it works

Starting on the minor chord makes the whole loop sound minor and searching, though not one chord has changed — the order of the same four chords is the whole difference.

vi–IV–I–V in every key

C major D♭ major D major E♭ major E major F major F♯ major G major A♭ major A major B♭ major B major

More progressions in B

ii–V–I in B major ii–V–i in B minor I–V–vi–IV in B major I–vi–IV–V in B major I–IV–V in B major

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