Pop · Beginner · major key

I–IV–vi–IV

I – IV – vi – IV — Floating between IV and vi without the tension of V.

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 – vi – IV — in C major that is C – F – 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.
• IV — a bright, open chord a fourth above home — the "amen" chord.
• vi — the relative minor — the "sad" chord of a major key.

I–IV–vi–IV 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 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–IV–vi–V I – IV – vi – V
• The "sad pop" progression vi – IV – I – V
• Axis progression (starting on IV) IV – I – V – vi
• Axis progression (starting on V) V – vi – IV – I
• The pop "axis" progression I – V – vi – IV
• 50s / doo-wop progression I – vi – IV – V

← I–vi–IV–I · I–ii–IV–I →

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