Pop · Beginner · major key
The pop "axis" progression
I – V – vi – IV — Bright and uplifting, with a bittersweet lift on the minor chord. Probably the most-used progression in modern pop.
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 – vi – IV — in C major that is C – G – 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.
- V — the tension chord that wants to resolve home.
- vi — the relative minor — the "sad" chord of a major key.
- IV — a bright, open chord a fourth above home — the "amen" chord.
The pop "axis" progression in all 12 keys
| Key | Chords | Hear / play |
|---|---|---|
| C major | CGAmF | Looper |
| G major | GDEmC | Looper |
| D major | DABmG | Looper |
| A major | AEF#mD | Looper |
| E major | EBC#mA | Looper |
| B major | BF#G#mE | Looper |
| F# major | F#C#D#mB | Looper |
| Db major | DbAbBbmGb | Looper |
| Ab major | AbEbFmDb | Looper |
| Eb major | EbBbCmAb | Looper |
| Bb major | BbFGmEb | Looper |
| F major | FCDmBb | Looper |
Songs that use it
- Let It Be — The Beatles
- Don't Stop Believin' — Journey
- With or Without You — U2
- No Woman, No Cry — Bob Marley
- Someone Like You — Adele
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–IV–vi–V I – IV – vi – V
- 50s / doo-wop progression I – vi – IV – 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
- Scale climb I–iii–IV–V–vi I – iii – IV – V – vi
← Minor plagal loop · Axis progression (starting on V) →
← All 198 chord progressions · Generate a new one
Questions
What chords are in the I – V – vi – IV progression?
In G major: G – D – Em – C. In C major / A minor: C – G – Am – F. The table on this page lists all 12 keys.
What is the best key to play I – V – vi – IV 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 the pop "axis" progression?
For example: Let It Be — The Beatles; Don't Stop Believin' — Journey; With or Without You — U2; No Woman, No Cry — Bob Marley; Someone Like You — Adele.