Chord progressions · Reverse lookup

The Em – C – G – D chord progression

The chords Em – C – G – D are The Axis — the Roman-numeral pattern I – V – vi – IV — read in G major, started on the vi — the 'sad pop' rotation.

Hear Em – C – G – D in G major

Version

Notation

vi›Em

Key

Tempo80 BPM

Mode

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.

Em C G D

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	vi – IV – I – V	The Axis
E minor	i – ♭VI – ♭III – ♭VII	Not a named pattern

Why The Axis works

Three major chords plus the relative-minor vi. It loops around the tonic without ever fully resolving — which is exactly why it feels endless and hummable.

The full The Axis reference → covers variations, songs built on it, and the pattern in every key.