Progression · 4 chords
I–V–vi–IV progression
The I–V–vi–IV progression is the four-chord loop behind a huge share of pop and rock songs. Two major chords, a minor, then a major on the way back home. In C it is C · G · Am · F.
- Numerals
- I–V–vi–IV
- Chords
- Major · Major · Minor · Major
- Listen for
- V second
How it sounds
Big and hopeful, with a little ache when the minor vi arrives. Start the same loop on vi (vi–IV–I–V) and the same four chords sound sadder.
How to pick it out
The second chord jumps up to the brightest chord in the key, then the third chord turns minor. The loop ends on IV, not V, so it floats back to I instead of being pulled there.
Songs that use it
Let It Be, With or Without You and the verse of Don’t Stop Believin’ all ride this loop.
On the guitar
Easiest in G: G · D · Em · C, all open chords.
I–V–vi–IV in every key
| Key | Chords | Hear it |
|---|---|---|
| C | C · G · Am · F | |
| D♭ | D♭ · A♭ · B♭m · G♭ | |
| D | D · A · Bm · G | |
| E♭ | E♭ · B♭ · Cm · A♭ | |
| E | E · B · C♯m · A | |
| F | F · C · Dm · B♭ | |
| F♯ | F♯ · C♯ · D♯m · B | |
| G | G · D · Em · C | |
| A♭ | A♭ · E♭ · Fm · D♭ | |
| A | A · E · F♯m · D | |
| B♭ | B♭ · F · Gm · E♭ | |
| B | B · F♯ · G♯m · E |
What’s inside
- Major chords: I, V, IV
- Minor chords: vi
This progression is one of the answers in the game’s “Which progression?” round. Every answer starts on I, so listen to where the second chord goes.