vi–IV–I–V · C major

Am – F – C – G

viAm · A C E

IVF · F A C

IC · C E G

VG · G B D

Am – F – C – G: the same four chords as I–V–vi–IV, started on the minor one. The Cranberries’ “Zombie” turns on this order. In C 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.

Am vi · root position

1 · ♭3 · 5 over A in the bass

F IV · first inversion

3 · 5 · 1 over F in the bass

C I · second inversion

5 · 1 · 3 over C in the bass

G V · root position

1 · 3 · 5 over G 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 C

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

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