J-Pop Bittersweet

IV → V → vi → I

Position
F chord diagramGuitar chord fingering for F: string 6: fret 1, string 5: fret 3, string 4: fret 3, string 3: fret 2, string 2: fret 1, string 1: fret 1F
G chord diagramGuitar chord fingering for G: string 6: fret 3, string 5: fret 2, string 4: open, string 3: open, string 2: open, string 1: fret 3G
Am chord diagramGuitar chord fingering for Am: string 6: muted, string 5: open, string 4: fret 2, string 3: fret 2, string 2: fret 1, string 1: open×Am
C chord diagramGuitar chord fingering for C: string 6: muted, string 5: fret 3, string 4: fret 2, string 3: open, string 2: fret 1, string 1: open×C
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About

A variation of the Royal Road that resolves to the I chord, creating a bittersweet but hopeful feeling. Common in emotional J-pop ballads.

Songs using this progression

  • First Love — Utada Hikaru
  • Lemon — Kenshi Yonezu
  • Marigold — Aimyon
J-PopAnime OSTBalladbittersweetemotionalnostalgichopeful

Related progressions

Anime Opening (Royal Road)
IV → V → iii → vi
J-PopAnime OST
Anime Melancholic (Hikaru Nara)
VI → VII → i
Anime OSTJ-Pop