The Canon · Classics

G · D · Em · Bm · C · G · C · D

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

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

Four bars of the canon in the key of G, 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.

Practice this progression →

Opens in the Progression Lab. No account, nothing to sign in to — ten minutes of playback a day, and an hour with a free account.

What the chords are

This is I · V · vi · iii · IV · I · IV · V in the key of G — 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.

• G I in open position, frets 3 to 4, on 3 strings
• D V up at the 3rd fret, spanning to the 5th, on 3 strings
• Em vi in open position, frets 2 to 3, on 3 strings
• Bm iii at the 2nd fret, on 3 strings
• C IV up at the 1st fret, spanning to the 3rd, on 3 strings
• G I in open position, frets 3 to 4, on 3 strings
• C IV up at the 1st fret, spanning to the 3rd, on 3 strings
• D V up at the 3rd fret, spanning to the 5th, on 3 strings

How it should feel

Strum

Let it ring

Groove

None

Tempo

100 bpm

Key

G

Voicings

Low & Wide

Open-voiced shapes down the neck — wide, ringing, cinematic.

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

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

Posted Sep 29, 2026. Part of a growing library of guitar chord progressions.