Pop · Advanced · major key
I–I+–vi–IV (augmented passing)
I – I+ – vi – IV — An augmented chord slides the 5th up a half step on its way to vi.
Chord shapes in G major (standard tuning)
Using a different tuning? Open it in the Looper — it finds playable shapes for whatever tuning you choose.
How the chords work
Written in Roman numerals, this progression is I – I+ – vi – IV — in C major that is C – Caug – Am – F. Each numeral is a step of the scale; upper case is a major chord, lower case minor.
- I — the home chord — the progression feels finished when it lands here.
- vi — the relative minor — the "sad" chord of a major key.
- IV — a bright, open chord a fourth above home — the "amen" chord.
I–I+–vi–IV (augmented passing) in all 12 keys
| Key | Chords | Hear / play |
|---|---|---|
| C major | CCaugAmF | Looper |
| G major | GGaugEmC | Looper |
| D major | DDaugBmG | Looper |
| A major | AAaugF#mD | Looper |
| E major | EEaugC#mA | Looper |
| B major | BBaugG#mE | Looper |
| F# major | F#F#augD#mB | Looper |
| Db major | DbDbaugBbmGb | Looper |
| Ab major | AbAbaugFmDb | Looper |
| Eb major | EbEbaugCmAb | Looper |
| Bb major | BbBbaugGmEb | Looper |
| F major | FFaugDmBb | Looper |
Practice ideas
- Beginners: play one strum per chord and say the chord names out loud, then two strums, then a steady down-down-up-up-down-up pattern.
- Change keys with a capo: keep the G major shapes and move a capo up — the capo calculator shows which fret gives the key you want.
- Solo over it: loop it in the Looper and improvise with the G major pentatonic or G major scale — the scale pages show every position and play a backing track.
- Train your ear: the progression ear trainer mixes this with similar progressions until you can tell them apart.
Similar progressions
- Scale climb I–iii–IV–V–vi I – iii – IV – V – vi
- vi–iii–IV–I vi – iii – IV – I
- The pop "axis" progression I – V – vi – IV
- I–IV–vi–IV I – IV – vi – IV
- I–IV–vi–V I – IV – vi – V
- I–vi–ii–IV I – vi – ii – IV
← Epic I–♭VI–♭VII–I · Diminished passing chord (I–#i°7–ii–V) →
← All 198 chord progressions · Generate a new one
Questions
What chords are in the I – I+ – vi – IV progression?
In G major: G – Gaug – Em – C. In C major / A minor: C – Caug – Am – F. The table on this page lists all 12 keys.
What is the best key to play I – I+ – vi – IV on guitar?
G major uses the most open-position chord shapes in standard tuning. Use a capo with those shapes to reach other keys.