ChordPocket

I–vi–IV–V Chord Progression

I – vi – IV – V

The '50s progression, also called the doo-wop changes. It cycles smoothly back to the start every four bars.

  1. C×321
  2. Am×231
  3. F××321
  4. G213

I–vi–IV–V in every key

The numerals stay the same in every key; only the chord names change. The easiest keys on guitar are G major, C major, A major.

A majorAF#mDE
Ab majorAbFmC#Eb
B majorBAbmEF#
Bb majorBbGmEbF
C majorCAmFG
D majorDBmGA
Db majorC#BbmF#Ab
E majorEC#mAB
Eb majorEbCmAbBb
F majorFDmBbC
F# majorF#EbmBC#
G majorGEmCD

Songs that use I–vi–IV–V

Questions

What chords are in the I–vi–IV–V progression?

In C major it is C, Am, F and G. In any other key, use the same numbered steps (I – vi – IV – V) of that key's scale.

What is the easiest key for I–vi–IV–V on guitar?

G major, C major and A major use open chords, so they are the easiest places to start.