The Canon · Classics

E · B · C#m · G#m · A · E · A · B

I · V · vi · iii · IV · I · IV · V in the key of Em

Pachelbel’s eight — three centuries of borrowing and still not worn out.

Four bars of the canon in the key of Em, written I · V · vi · iii · IV · I · IV · V and played let it ring at around 100 beats per minute. The chord shapes are below, and you can hear the whole thing play (and slow it down) without an account.

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What the chords are

This is I · V · vi · iii · IV · I · IV · V in the key of Em. The degree of each chord is what makes the progression recognisable in any key, so the same four moves transpose anywhere once you know them by number.

• E I in open position, frets 1 to 2, on 3 strings
• B V at the 4th fret, on 3 strings
• C#m vi up at the 5th fret, spanning to the 6th, on 3 strings
• G#m iii up at the 8th fret, spanning to the 9th, on 3 strings
• A IV up at the 9th fret, spanning to the 11th, on 3 strings
• E I up at the 7th fret, spanning to the 9th, on 3 strings
• A IV up at the 9th fret, spanning to the 10th, on 3 strings
• B V up at the 11th fret, spanning to the 12th, on 3 strings

How it should feel

Strum

Let it ring

Groove

None

Tempo

100 bpm

Key

Em

Voicings

The Climb

The top voice steps upward through the progression — a melody rising inside the chords.

The shapes

Low E on the left, high e on the right. 0 is an open string, × is one you do not play.

More Classics

• C#m · A · E · B vi · IV · I · V in Em · Minor Anthem
• Em · D · C · B i · ♭VII · ♭VI · V in Em · The Fall
• E · C#m · A · B I · vi · IV · V in Em · ’50s Doo-wop
• E · B · C#m · A I · V · vi · IV in Em · The Anthem

Posted Oct 31, 2026. Part of a growing library of guitar chord progressions.