The Canon progression is a 9-bar chord pattern known from Pachelbel’s “Canon.”
It features a flowing bass line and a strong sense of resolution, and is widely used in classical pieces as well as modern J-POP.
Once you master it on piano, your skills in accompaniment, transcribing by ear, and composing will improve rapidly, greatly expanding your expressive range—so definitely learn it.
What Is the Canon Progression?
The Canon progression is an 8-bar chord pattern made famous by Pachelbel’s masterpiece “Canon.”
The alternating rising and falling bass line creates drama, and the pattern appears widely from the Baroque era to modern classical works.
- Chords in key of C: C → G → Am → Em → F → C → F → G
- Roman numerals: Ⅰ → Ⅴ → Ⅵm → Ⅲm → Ⅳ → Ⅰ → Ⅳ → Ⅴ
- Sound characteristics: calm, narrative quality, strong sense of resolution
Benefits of Learning the Canon Progression for Piano Study
By memorizing all 8 bars, you can immediately apply it to accompaniment, ear training, and composition.
For those who mainly play classical music, it’s a shortcut to internalizing music theory through actual sound.
- Accompaniment made easy: simply map chords to a melody and it sounds like a complete piece
- Faster transcription: once you hear the progression, chord guessing becomes easier
- Foundation for arranging/composing: expand with substitutions and added tensions
3 Steps to Lock In the Chord Structure
① Sing the bass line: hum “Do–So–La–Mi–Fa–Do–Fa–So” and memorize it physically
② Practice in 2-bar × 4 blocks: repeat C–G | Am–Em | F–C | F–G
③ Use inversions with minimal movement: switch right-hand chord shapes to nearby inversions for smooth voicings
Performance Tips on Piano
Start the left hand with single root notes, and develop the right hand from block chords to arpeggios to enhance expression.
Use the damper pedal to shape the resonance, and add tension notes for a modern color.
- Arpeggios: a 1–5–3–5 sixteenth-note pattern for a flowing Baroque feel
- Slash chords: insert C/E or G/B to smooth the bass line
- Add tensions: layer a 9th on F and a 13th on G for extra depth
Examples in Classical Works
Pachelbel’s “Canon” – the original model. Easy to recreate the string trio on piano.
Bach: “Air on the G String” – includes similar phrases with Canon-like motion in the middle section.
Handel: “The Harmonious Blacksmith” Variations – Canon-like variations with a descending bass.
A 5-Day Practice Plan to Master It
Day 1 – Loop the 8 bars with left-hand roots only
Day 2 – Add right-hand block chords
Day 3 – Turn the right hand into 8th-note arpeggios; light pedal
Day 4 – Add tension notes + dynamics practice
Day 5 – Transpose to other keys (G, F, D, etc.)
Application Ideas
Replace Ⅲm → Ⅲ7 for a bluesy flavor
Switch the groove from 8-beat → 16-beat for freshness
Substitute Ⅳ → Ⅳm to emphasize a ballad-like poignancy
FAQ
Q. Can I play it in one week?
A. With left-hand single notes and right-hand block chords, practicing 30 minutes daily will get you there.
Q. How is it different from the “royal road” progression?
A. The royal-road progression is 4 bars (Ⅳ–Ⅴ–Ⅲm–Ⅵm), while the Canon progression is 8 bars.
Q. I’m bad at transposing…
A. Use the Circle of Fifths and step up gradually from keys with more white keys (G, F) to those with more black keys (E, B).
Summary
By mastering the Canon progression, you’ll take a big leap in classical accompaniment, transcription, and arranging/composing.
First, fully copy the original form in the key of C, then add your originality with inversions, tensions, and rhythm changes.