Rock · Beginner · major key
Three-chord trick (I–IV–V)
I – IV – V – I — The first progression most guitarists learn. Strong, simple and complete.
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 – IV – V – I — in C major that is C – F – G – C. 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.
- IV — a bright, open chord a fourth above home — the "amen" chord.
- V — the tension chord that wants to resolve home.
Three-chord trick (I–IV–V) in all 12 keys
| Key | Chords | Hear / play |
|---|---|---|
| C major | CFGC | Looper |
| G major | GCDG | Looper |
| D major | DGAD | Looper |
| A major | ADEA | Looper |
| E major | EABE | Looper |
| B major | BEF#B | Looper |
| F# major | F#BC#F# | Looper |
| Db major | DbGbAbDb | Looper |
| Ab major | AbDbEbAb | Looper |
| Eb major | EbAbBbEb | Looper |
| Bb major | BbEbFBb | Looper |
| F major | FBbCF | Looper |
Songs that use it
- La Bamba — Ritchie Valens
- Twist and Shout — The Isley Brothers
Song examples use this progression (or a very close variant) in at least one main section; keys and voicings differ.
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
- I–V–ii / I–V–IV I – V – ii – ii – I – V – IV – IV
- I–V–IV–V I – V – IV – V
- I–V–IV–I classic rock I – V – IV – I
- I–IV–V–IV rock loop I – IV – V – IV
- I–V–♭VII–IV I – V – ♭VII – IV
- I–♭VII–IV–V I – ♭VII – IV – V
← I–vi–ii–V turnaround · I–IV–V–IV rock loop →
← All 198 chord progressions · Generate a new one
Questions
What chords are in the I – IV – V – I progression?
In G major: G – C – D – G. In C major / A minor: C – F – G – C. The table on this page lists all 12 keys.
What is the best key to play I – IV – V – I on guitar?
G major uses the most open-position chord shapes in standard tuning. Use a capo with those shapes to reach other keys.
What songs use the three-chord trick (i–iv–v)?
For example: La Bamba — Ritchie Valens; Twist and Shout — The Isley Brothers.