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Pop

Major 4 Rotation

C · G · Em · D

C
IV
G
I
Em
vi
D
V
Key
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Major 4 Rotation in G major

Major 4 Rotation is IV · I · vi · V. In G major that is C, G, Em, D. A rotation of the Major 4, starting on the subdominant. Loop those chords in order. The same pattern works in any major key.

Songs that use this

  • Umbrella · Rihanna
  • Africa · Toto
  • Learning to Fly · Tom Petty

Why it works

In G major this loop is C, G, Em, D (IV · I · vi · V). I is the home chord. V pulls away from home and wants to resolve. vi adds a minor color. IV moves the song forward without leaving the key. Play the chords in order and the pattern is easy to hear on ukulele.

Chords in G major

Jump to each shape used in this loop.

CGEmD

Try in other keys

Same Roman numerals; chords transpose with the key.

C major → F · C · Am · GD major → G · D · Bm · AE major → A · E · C#m · BF major → Bb · F · Dm · CG major → C · G · Em · DA major → D · A · F#m · EB major → E · B · G#m · F#

Related progressions

Major 4Major 4 SubdominantStepwise PopPop Rotation LiftDoo-Wop Variant

Frequently asked questions

What is the Major 4 Rotation ukulele chord progression?

Major 4 Rotation is the IV–I–vi–V chord loop. In G major that is C, G, Em, and D. A rotation of the Major 4, starting on the subdominant.

What do the roman numerals mean in Major 4 Rotation?

Roman numerals mark each chord's role in the key, not fixed chord names. Uppercase is major, lowercase is minor. Major 4 Rotation uses IV–I–vi–V. Change the key and the roles stay; the chord names move with it. In G major you play C, G, Em, D.

How do you practice Major 4 Rotation on ukulele?

Loop C, G, Em, and D. Change on the first beat of each bar and keep the strum steady. If one change is hard, practice that pair slowly, then play the full loop again.

What songs use the Major 4 Rotation progression?

Songs built on Major 4 Rotation include Umbrella, Africa, and Learning to Fly.

Why do so many songs use the same chords?

Major 4 Rotation (IV–I–vi–V) is one of the most reused patterns in Pop and beyond. Writers come back to it because the roles are strong: home, departure, pull, and contrast. It supports almost any melody and still feels complete when you loop it. Same functions, different songs.

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