Pop · Intermediate · major key
I–vi–IV–ii–V
I – vi – IV – ii – V — The doo-wop loop with an extra ii for a smoother lead into 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 – vi – IV – ii – V — in C major that is C – Am – F – Dm – G. 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.
- vi — the relative minor — the "sad" chord of a major key.
- IV — a bright, open chord a fourth above home — the "amen" chord.
- ii — a soft minor chord that leads towards V (a "pre-dominant").
- V — the tension chord that wants to resolve home.
I–vi–IV–ii–V in all 12 keys
| Key | Chords | Hear / play |
|---|---|---|
| C major | CAmFDmG | Looper |
| G major | GEmCAmD | Looper |
| D major | DBmGEmA | Looper |
| A major | AF#mDBmE | Looper |
| E major | EC#mAF#mB | Looper |
| B major | BG#mEC#mF# | Looper |
| F# major | F#D#mBG#mC# | Looper |
| Db major | DbBbmGbEbmAb | Looper |
| Ab major | AbFmDbBbmEb | Looper |
| Eb major | EbCmAbFmBb | Looper |
| Bb major | BbGmEbCmF | Looper |
| F major | FDmBbGmC | Looper |
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
- Extended Canon turnaround I – V – vi – iii – IV – I – ii – V
- I–V–ii–IV I – V – ii – IV
- I–V–vi–iii–IV I – V – vi – iii – IV
- Scale climb I–iii–IV–V–vi I – iii – IV – V – vi
- ii–IV–V–I ii – IV – V – I
- I–vi–ii–IV I – vi – ii – IV
← I–iii–IV–iv · IV–V–I cadence loop →
← All 198 chord progressions · Generate a new one
Questions
What chords are in the I – vi – IV – ii – V progression?
In G major: G – Em – C – Am – D. In C major / A minor: C – Am – F – Dm – G. The table on this page lists all 12 keys.
What is the best key to play I – vi – IV – ii – V on guitar?
G major uses the most open-position chord shapes in standard tuning. Use a capo with those shapes to reach other keys.