Super Simple Chords

Chord progression

The vi–II–vi–II chord progression

Am – D – Am – D in C. 26 songs in the library go round it. Hear it in any style and key, and see it in all twelve keys.

Tuning the piano…
Style
Key

Want to mix it with other hands?

The loop

4 chords, round and round, in C. Each chord on the keys:

AmviDIIAmviDII

In every key

Find your song's key on the left: its chords are the row. Each column keeps its colour, whatever the key.

KeyviIIviII
CAmDAmD
DbBbmEbBbmEb
DBmEBmE
EbCmFCmF
EC#mF#C#mF#
FDmGDmG
F#D#mG#D#mG#
GEmAEmA
AbFmBbFmBb
AF#mBF#mB
BbGmCGmC
BG#mC#G#mC#

Songs that go round it

26 songs, best known first. Rest the mouse on one to hear it.

All of them

Left hands these songs use

The patterns most often played under this loop.

Questions about vi–II–vi–II

What is the vi–II–vi–II chord progression?

A loop of 4 chords: Am – D – Am – D in C. The numerals say each chord's place in the key, so the same loop can be played in any key.

What songs use the vi–II–vi–II progression?

26 songs in the library repeat it, including It's Too Late, You Oughta Know, Nights On Broadway, Baby, Come To Me and Cab.

How do I play vi–II–vi–II on piano?

Hold each chord with the right hand while the left hand plays its root, then swap in a pattern: engine 8ths is the left hand these songs use most. The player above plays it in any style and key.