C Major
I – vi – ii – V7
Harmonic Circles
The I - vi - ii - V harmonic loop: the musical formula behind thousands of classic songs.
Harmony Level
Major (12)
G Major
I – vi – ii – V7
D Major
I – vi – ii – V7
A Major
I – vi – ii – V7
E Major
I – vi – ii – V7
B Major
I – vi – ii – V7
F# Major
I – vi – ii – V7
Db Major
I – vi – ii – V7
Ab Major
I – vi – ii – V7
Eb Major
I – vi – ii – V7
Bb Major
I – vi – ii – V7
F Major
I – vi – ii – V7
Minor (12)
Am Minor
I – vi – ii – V7
Em Minor
I – vi – ii – V7
Bm Minor
I – vi – ii – V7
F#m Minor
I – vi – ii – V7
C#m Minor
I – vi – ii – V7
G#m Minor
I – vi – ii – V7
D#m Minor
I – vi – ii – V7
Bbm Minor
I – vi – ii – V7
Fm Minor
I – vi – ii – V7
Cm Minor
I – vi – ii – V7
Gm Minor
I – vi – ii – V7
Dm Minor
I – vi – ii – V7
How to use it
How to read a harmonic circle on guitar
In popular guitar, a harmonic circle is a four-chord progression. It's formed with the I, vi, ii, and V degrees of a key.
Sometimes the ii is replaced by the IV. In C major, these are C – Am – Dm – G7.
What it's for
It's the foundation of ballads, boleros, and pasillos. It's also the fastest way to learn how to accompany.
How to use it
Choose guitar or piano. All 24 circles are available for both instruments, 12 major and 12 minor, with audio and an analysis of each degree.
- Start with C, G, and D major. On guitar, only open chords are used.
- Play one chord per measure with the metronome at 60–70 BPM. Increase the tempo when the changes are seamless.
- Minor circles, such as Am, Em, or Dm, use the major V7. In A minor, it's E7, and it creates the tension that resolves back to the tonic.
Index of All 24 Guitar Harmonic Circles
All 12 major and 12 minor harmonic circles with their 4-chord sequence (I - vi - ii - V7). Each circle links to its dedicated guide with diagrams, fingerings, and audio loops.
Major Harmonic Circles (12)
- C Major (C)C – Am – Dm – G7
- G Major (G)G – Em – Am – D7
- D Major (D)D – Bm – Em – A7
- A Major (A)A – F#m – Bm – E7
- E Major (E)E – C#m – F#m – B7
- B Major (B)B – G#m – C#m – F#7
- F# Major (F#)F# – D#m – G#m – C#7
- Db Major (Db)Db – Bbm – Ebm – Ab7
- Ab Major (Ab)Ab – Fm – Bbm – Eb7
- Eb Major (Eb)Eb – Cm – Fm – Bb7
- Bb Major (Bb)Bb – Gm – Cm – F7
- F Major (F)F – Dm – Gm – C7
Minor Harmonic Circles (12)
- A Minor (Am)Am – F – Dm – E7
- E Minor (Em)Em – C – Am – B7
- B Minor (Bm)Bm – G – Em – F#7
- F# Minor (F#m)F#m – D – Bm – C#7
- C# Minor (C#m)C#m – A – F#m – G#7
- G# Minor (G#m)G#m – E – C#m – D#7
- D# Minor (D#m)D#m – B – G#m – A#7
- Bb Minor (Bbm)Bbm – Gb – Ebm – F7
- F Minor (Fm)Fm – Db – Bbm – C7
- C Minor (Cm)Cm – Ab – Fm – G7
- G Minor (Gm)Gm – Eb – Cm – D7
- D Minor (Dm)Dm – Bb – Gm – A7
How to read the tab and notation
One bar per chord with the P-i-m-a arpeggio: the thumb plays the bass and the index, middle and ring fingers play strings 3, 2 and 1.
Tablature: each line is a string (e at the top = 1st, E at the bottom = 6th) and the number is the fret.
The same arpeggio in standard notation. Guitar is written one octave higher than it sounds.
The four chords of the circle written for piano with the ballad pattern: the left hand plays the bass on beats 1 and 3 and the right hand answers with the chord on 2 and 4. Guitarists can also use it to read the actual notes of each chord.
Upper staff (treble clef): right hand. Lower staff (bass clef): left hand. The chord symbol sits above each bar.