Minor Anthem · Classics

Em · C · G · D

vi · IV · I · V in the key of G

The same four as the Anthem, entered from the dark side.

Four bars of minor anthem in the key of G, written vi · IV · I · V and played folk strum over a backbeat groove at around 96 beats per minute. The chord shapes are below, and you can hear the whole thing play (and slow it down) without an account.

Chord diagrams for Em, C, G, D (vi · IV · I · V in G)

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What the chords are

This is vi · IV · I · 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.

Em vi at the 12th fret, on 3 strings
C IV up at the 8th fret, spanning to the 9th, on 3 strings
G I up at the 10th fret, spanning to the 12th, on 3 strings
D V up at the 10th fret, spanning to the 11th, on 3 strings

How it should feel

Strum: Folk strum
Groove: Backbeat
Tempo: 96 bpm
Key: G
Voicings: Sparkle

Small, bright voicings high on the top strings — the second-guitar part.

The shapes

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

Chord	E	A	D	G	B	e
Em	×	×	×	12	12	12
C	×	×	×	9	8	8
G	×	×	×	12	12	10
D	×	×	×	11	10	10

More Classics

Posted Sep 28, 2026. Part of a growing library of guitar chord progressions.