Pachelbel's Canon progression: chords and songs
Pachelbel's Canon progression is I–V–vi–iii–IV–I–IV–V (D A Bm F#m G D G A in D). Hear it, get it in all 12 keys and see where pop borrowed it.
The Pachelbel's Canon progression is the eight-chord pattern I–V–vi–iii–IV–I–IV–V: in D major, as in the Canon itself, D – A – Bm – F♯m – G – D – G – A. Its bass falls step by step, and its first half became the template for many pop songs.
Listen in D major
Or one chord at a time:
What does Pachelbel's Canon progression sound like?
Stately and warm, with a gently descending bass that makes it feel like it could repeat forever.
Songs that use Pachelbel's Canon progression
| Song | Where |
|---|---|
| Canon in D (Johann Pachelbel) | the ground bass, repeated throughout, in D |
| Basket Case (Green Day) | verse, a close variant in E flat |
Titles only. Listed only when the chords of that section are certain; chords as usually written for that section.
How to recognise it by ear
- Listen to the bass: it walks down D, C♯, B, A, G, F♯, G, A.
- The first four chords (I–V–vi–iii) are the giveaway; I–V–vi–IV songs are a shortened cousin.
- Every chord comes from the key: no borrowed chords.
Quick test: which progression?
Each sound plays the chords one after another. Pick the progression.
Score: / 3 (your score updates as you answer)
Pachelbel's Canon progression in all 12 major keys
Chords built from the Roman numerals I V vi iii IV I IV V on each key's own scale.
| Key | Chords | Hear it |
|---|---|---|
| C major | C – G – Am – Em – F – C – F – G | |
| G major | G – D – Em – Bm – C – G – C – D | |
| D major | D – A – Bm – F♯m – G – D – G – A | |
| A major | A – E – F♯m – C♯m – D – A – D – E | |
| E major | E – B – C♯m – G♯m – A – E – A – B | |
| B major | B – F♯ – G♯m – D♯m – E – B – E – F♯ | |
| F♯ major | F♯ – C♯ – D♯m – A♯m – B – F♯ – B – C♯ | |
| D♭ major | D♭ – A♭ – B♭m – Fm – G♭ – D♭ – G♭ – A♭ | |
| A♭ major | A♭ – E♭ – Fm – Cm – D♭ – A♭ – D♭ – E♭ | |
| E♭ major | E♭ – B♭ – Cm – Gm – A♭ – E♭ – A♭ – B♭ | |
| B♭ major | B♭ – F – Gm – Dm – E♭ – B♭ – E♭ – F | |
| F major | F – C – Dm – Am – B♭ – F – B♭ – C |
Frequently asked questions
What are the chords of Pachelbel's Canon?
In D major: D, A, B minor, F sharp minor, G, D, G, A (I V vi iii IV I IV V), repeated throughout.
What are the Pachelbel chords in C?
C, G, A minor, E minor, F, C, F, G.
Why is Pachelbel's Canon used in so many songs?
Its descending bass and diatonic chords fit many melodies, and its first chords overlap with the I–V–vi–IV pop loop.
Who wrote the Canon in D?
Johann Pachelbel, a German Baroque composer (1653–1706).