Pachalbel's Canon Progression

By the German Baroque composer Johann Pachelbel.

Published: 29 Jan 2014 Updated: 17 Jul 2021Visits: 8Code: UL59h

Category: ChordsInstrument: Music Subjects: Chords • Theory • Progressions • Famous • Pachalbel

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Pachalbel's Canon Progression


In the key of C major Pachelbel's Canon is: C G Am Em F C F G. This is a I V VI III IV I IV V in harmonic analysis notation. In Nashville Numbering it's 1 5 6 3 4 1 4 5.

C G Am Em F C F G

1 5 6 3 4 1 4 5

Pachelbel's Canon is a full diatonic progression with all the chords coming from it's parent major scale. A bit of a variation of the famous Four Chord Pop chord progression. Or, should we say the famous Four Chord Pop Progress is derived from Pachalbel's Canon. Some food for thought.

Pachelbel's Canon is the name commonly given to a canon by the German Baroque composer Johann Pachelbel in his Canon and Gigue for 3 violins and basso continuo. It is his most famous composition. It was originally scored for three violins and basso continuo and paired with a gigue (dance). Both movements are in the key of D major.

Pachelbel's Canon combines the techniques of canon and ground bass. Canon is a polyphonic device in which several voices play the same music, entering in sequence. In Pachelbel's piece, there are three voices engaged in canon, but there is also a fourth voice, the basso continuo, which plays an independent part.

Example Songs

  • The Who - Pictures of Lily (the chorus)
  • The Beatles - In My Life (the piano break)
  • Bee Gees - Spicks and Specks
  • Petula Clark - Don't Sleep In The Subway
  • David Bowie - Changes
  • David Bowie - All the Young Dudes
  • Oasis - Whatever
  • The Monkees - It's Not Too Late
  • Green Day - Basket Case
  • Vitamin C - Graduation Friends Forever
  • Dennis Lambert & Brian Potter - One Tin Soldier
  • Belle & Sebastian - Get Me Away From Here, I'm Dying
  • My Chemical Romance - The Black Parade
  • Blues Traveler - Hook
  • The Polyphonic Spree - Light And Day / Reach for the Sun
  • Coolio - C U When U Get There
  • Joe Jackson - Hometown
  • Tupac - Life Goes On
  • Therapy Sisters - Pachelbel's Tantrum
  • The Farm - All Together Now
  • First Class - Beach Baby
  • Traditional - My Jesus I Love Thee
  • Mary-Kate and Ashley - Imagine
  • Relient K - Operation
  • The Farm - All Together Now
  • The Polyphonic Spree - Section 9
  • Happa-tai - Yatta
  • Delerium - Paris
  • Aphrodite's Child - Rain and Tears
  • Lutricia McNeal - Rise
  • Menelik - Je Me Souviens
  • Libera - Sanctus
  • Ozone - Dragostea Din Tei

Additional Song


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The "Major Scale" or Ionian scale is a diatonic scale, made up of seven distinct notes, plus an eighth which duplicates the first one octave higher. In solfege these notes correspond to the syllables Do, Re, Mi, Fa, Sol, La, Ti/Si, (Do), the Do in the parenthesis at the end being the octave of the root.

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Harmonic Analysis (HA), also known as the study of chord relationships, is the method used to identify the harmonic role of chords within a chord progression or song. A chord progression refers to a sequence of chords, with each chord having a root note and belonging to a specific chord type. The function of a chord within a particular scale's tonality is determined by its relationship to that scale.

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A Selection of Books & Reference Charts that are recommended for creating a solid foundation with your chosen instrument and music in general.

Books

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard – C Tuning

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Reference Charts

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Ukulele Fingerboard Chart for C Tuning, Low or High G – G C E A

Ukulele Fingerboard Chart for G Tuning, Low or High A – D G B E

Ukulele Fingerboard Chart for G Tuning, Low or High A – D G B E

Key Signatures — Circle of Fourths and Fifths – ANSI A & A4 sizes

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