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V - vi

Also known as the deceptive cadence.

The dominant sets up a homecoming and then lands on the relative minor instead. That one sidestep is enough to keep a final chorus going, or to make an ending bittersweet rather than settled.

Hear it in different keys

In C major

V G vim Am

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In G major

V D vim Em

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Each key above has a MIDI download with every chord played back to back, ready to drop into any DAW or notation program.

Roman numerals show scale degree and quality: uppercase for major, lowercase for minor, a small circle for diminished. Tap any chord above to open its full page, with a diagram and playback.