Rock · Beginner · major key
I–V–IV–I classic rock
I – V – IV – I — Rolling and upbeat — the "backwards" blues move from V down to IV.
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 – V – IV – I — in C major that is C – G – F – 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.
- V — the tension chord that wants to resolve home.
- IV — a bright, open chord a fourth above home — the "amen" chord.
I–V–IV–I classic rock in all 12 keys
| Key | Chords | Hear / play |
|---|---|---|
| C major | CGFC | Looper |
| G major | GDCG | Looper |
| D major | DAGD | Looper |
| A major | AEDA | Looper |
| E major | EBAE | Looper |
| B major | BF#EB | Looper |
| F# major | F#C#BF# | Looper |
| Db major | DbAbGbDb | Looper |
| Ab major | AbEbDbAb | Looper |
| Eb major | EbBbAbEb | Looper |
| Bb major | BbFEbBb | Looper |
| F major | FCBbF | Looper |
Songs that use it
- Bad Moon Rising — Creedence Clearwater Revival
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
- Three-chord trick (I–IV–V) I – IV – V – I
- I–V–IV–V I – V – IV – V
- I–IV–V–IV rock loop I – IV – V – IV
- I–V–ii / I–V–IV I – V – ii – ii – I – V – IV – IV
- I–♭VII–IV–V I – ♭VII – IV – V
- I–V–♭VII–IV I – V – ♭VII – IV
← Folk / country I–IV–I–V · I–V–ii / I–V–IV →
← All 198 chord progressions · Generate a new one
Questions
What chords are in the I – V – IV – I progression?
In G major: G – D – C – G. In C major / A minor: C – G – F – C. The table on this page lists all 12 keys.
What is the best key to play I – V – IV – 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 i–v–iv–i classic rock?
For example: Bad Moon Rising — Creedence Clearwater Revival.