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.

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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

• Gm · Bb · C · Eb · Gm · D7 i · ♭III · IV · ♭VI · i · V7 in G · Rising Sun
• G · B7 · C · Cm I · III7 · IV · iv in G · The Creep
• Em · C · G · D vi · IV · I · V in G · Minor Anthem
• Em · D · C · B i · ♭VII · ♭VI · V in E · The Fall

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