Country · Beginner · major key
Country two-step (I–I–V–V–I–I–IV–V)
I – I – V – V – I – I – IV – V — Bouncy and simple — play it with alternating bass notes.
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 – V – V – I – I – IV – V — in C major that is C – C – G – G – C – C – F – G. 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.
- V — the tension chord that wants to resolve home.
- IV — a bright, open chord a fourth above home — the "amen" chord.
Country two-step (I–I–V–V–I–I–IV–V) in all 12 keys
| Key | Chords | Hear / play |
|---|---|---|
| C major | CCGGCCFG | Looper |
| G major | GGDDGGCD | Looper |
| D major | DDAADDGA | Looper |
| A major | AAEEAADE | Looper |
| E major | EEBBEEAB | Looper |
| B major | BBF#F#BBEF# | Looper |
| F# major | F#F#C#C#F#F#BC# | Looper |
| Db major | DbDbAbAbDbDbGbAb | Looper |
| Ab major | AbAbEbEbAbAbDbEb | Looper |
| Eb major | EbEbBbBbEbEbAbBb | Looper |
| Bb major | BbBbFFBbBbEbF | Looper |
| F major | FFCCFFBbC | 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
- Folk / country I–IV–I–V I – IV – I – V
- Country turnaround (I–I7–IV–II7–V7–I) I – I7 – IV – II7 – V7 – I
- Three-chord trick (I–IV–V) I – IV – V – I
- The "sad pop" progression vi – IV – I – V
- Axis progression (starting on V) V – vi – IV – I
- I–V–IV–I classic rock I – V – IV – I
← Acoustic add9 loop · Folk ballad (I–iii–vi–IV) →
← All 198 chord progressions · Generate a new one
Questions
What chords are in the I – I – V – V – I – I – IV – V progression?
In G major: G – G – D – D – G – G – C – D. In C major / A minor: C – C – G – G – C – C – F – G. The table on this page lists all 12 keys.
What is the best key to play I – I – V – V – I – I – IV – V on guitar?
G major uses the most open-position chord shapes in standard tuning. Use a capo with those shapes to reach other keys.