Super Simple Chords

Chord progression

The vi–II7–V7–I chord progression

Am – D7 – G7 – C in C. 13 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:

AmviD7II7G7V7CI

In every key

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

KeyviII7V7I
CAmD7G7C
DbBbmEb7Ab7Db
DBmE7A7D
EbCmF7Bb7Eb
EC#mF#7B7E
FDmG7C7F
F#D#mG#7C#7F#
GEmA7D7G
AbFmBb7Eb7Ab
AF#mB7E7A
BbGmC7F7Bb
BG#mC#7F#7B

Songs that go round it

13 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–II7–V7–I

What is the vi–II7–V7–I chord progression?

A loop of 4 chords: Am – D7 – G7 – C 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–II7–V7–I progression?

13 songs in the library repeat it, including Don’t Know Why, Don’t Get Around Much Anymore, They’re Playing My Song, Desperado and I Wish My Mom Would Marry Santa Claus.

How do I play vi–II7–V7–I on piano?

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