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I–IV–I–V chord progression

The blues in four bars · 1-4-1-5

Earthy and plain: home, the IV, home again and the V to turn it round. It is the 12-bar blues folded into four bars.

C major · one chord a bar
  1. C
  2. F
  3. C
  4. G
Use in a beat
Blues beat · 60 BPM · drums, bass and keys

I–IV–I–V in every key

One chord a bar, in all 12 keys. Use in a beat opens it in that key.

KeyChordsMake a beat
C majorC – F – C – GUse
D♭ majorD♭ – G♭ – D♭ – A♭Use
D majorD – G – D – AUse
E♭ majorE♭ – A♭ – E♭ – B♭Use
E majorE – A – E – BUse
F majorF – B♭ – F – CUse
F♯ majorF♯ – B – F♯ – C♯Use
G majorG – C – G – DUse
A♭ majorA♭ – D♭ – A♭ – E♭Use
A majorA – D – A – EUse
B♭ majorB♭ – E♭ – B♭ – FUse
B majorB – E – B – F♯Use
Chord by chord, in C major
  • IC: the major chord on the 1st note of the scale
  • IVF: the major chord on the 4th note of the scale
  • VG: the major chord on the 5th note of the scale
Where it is used

Blues, rock and roll and southern soul.

In the editor, these styles start on it: Southern soul.

More progressions

Or let the chord progression generator play it in another key and style.

Frequently asked questions

What are the chords of I–IV–I–V in C major?

C, F, C and G. In G major it is G, C, G and D. The table above has all 12 keys.

How do I play I–IV–I–V in another key?

Take the key’s major scale and build a chord on its 1st, 4th and 5th notes, in the order of the numerals. Capital numerals are major chords and small ones minor.

What is the I–IV–I–V used for?

Blues, rock and roll and southern soul. In the editor, Southern soul starts on it.

Can I make a beat with it?

Yes, free. Use in a beat opens the editor with a blues beat on these chords at 60 BPM, every part its own lane to change or delete. Add a melody, record over it or ask for new drums. No account is needed to start; a free account saves your project.

Build a song on these chords

Use in a beat opens the free editor with drums, bass and the chords. Add a melody, record over it or change any part, one at a time.

Use I–IV–I–V in a beatAll chord progressions

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