Funk · Beginner · major key

Funk vamp (I9–IV9)

I9 – I9 – IV9 – IV9 — Two 9th chords and a tight rhythm — instant funk.

Chord shapes in E 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 I9 – I9 – IV9 – IV9 — in C major that is C9 – C9 – F9 – F9. Each numeral is a step of the scale; upper case is a major chord, lower case minor.

• I9 — the home chord — the progression feels finished when it lands here.
• IV9 — a bright, open chord a fourth above home — the "amen" chord.

Funk vamp (I9–IV9) in all 12 keys

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 E 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 E major pentatonic or E 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

• Funky 9th-chord blues I9 – IV9 – I9 – I9 – IV9 – IV9 – I9 – I9 – V9 – IV9 – I9 – V9
• Axis progression (starting on V) V – vi – IV – I
• Power-chord I–♭VII–IV I5 – ♭VII5 – IV5 – I5
• Folk / country I–IV–I–V I – IV – I – V
• I–IV–V–IV rock loop I – IV – V – IV
• I–ii–IV–I I – ii – IV – I

← Funky 9th-chord blues · Gospel walk-up →

← All 198 chord progressions · Generate a new one

Questions