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.
| Key | Roman numerals | Named pattern |
|---|---|---|
| G major | IV – I | a plagal "Amen" cadence |
| C major | I – V | Not a named pattern |
| E minor | ♭VI – ♭III | Not a named pattern |
| A minor | ♭III – ♭VII | Not a named pattern |
Why a plagal "Amen" cadence works
Subdominant to tonic (IV→I) — softer than the authentic cadence; the settled "Amen" sound of hymns and gospel.
The full a plagal "Amen" cadence reference → covers variations, songs built on it, and the pattern in every key.