vi–IV–I–V · E major

C♯m – A – E – B

viC♯m · C♯ E G♯

IVA · A C♯ E

IE · E G♯ B

VB · B D♯ F♯

C♯m – A – E – B: the same four chords as I–V–vi–IV, started on the minor one. The Cranberries’ “Zombie” turns on this order. In E 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.

C♯m vi · root position

1 · ♭3 · 5 over C♯ in the bass

A IV · first inversion

3 · 5 · 1 over A in the bass

E I · second inversion

5 · 1 · 3 over E in the bass

B V · root position

1 · 3 · 5 over B 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 E

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

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