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Chord progressions · Reverse lookup

The A – E – F♯m – C♯m – D – A – D – E chord progression

The chords A – E – F♯m – C♯m – D – A – D – E are Pachelbel's progression — the Roman-numeral pattern I – V – vi – iii – IV – I – IV – V — read in A major.

Hear A – E – F♯m – C♯m – D – A – D – E in A major
Version
Notation
C1C2C3C4AC5EC6C7C8C♯
I›A
80 BPM
Root-position blocks move in leaps. Voice leading holds the common tones and steps the rest —

The chords

Every chord links to its full reference page — notes, keyboard diagram, audio, fingering, and inversions.

Which key is it in?

A progression's key is the one whose scale contains all of its chords, and the Roman numerals below are each chord's job in that key. When several keys qualify, the ear usually decides by where the music comes to rest.

KeyRoman numeralsNamed pattern
A majorI – V – vi – iii – IV – I – IV – VPachelbel's progression
F♯ minor♭III – ♭VII – i – v – ♭VI – ♭III – ♭VI – ♭VIINot a named pattern
G♭ minor♭III – ♭VII – i – v – ♭VI – ♭III – ♭VI – ♭VIINot a named pattern

Why Pachelbel's progression works

The descending sequence from Canon in D — each chord steps the bass down a little further. It has quietly launched a thousand pop songs.

The full Pachelbel's progression reference → covers variations, songs built on it, and the pattern in every key.