I–I–IV–I in C Major

Pattern: I – I – IV – I Chords: C – C – F – C

Chord Breakdown

Numeral	Chord	Type	Function
I	C (details)	major	Tonic
I	C (details)	major	Tonic
IV	F (details)	major	Subdominant
I	C (details)	major	Tonic

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through C (Tonic) → C (Tonic) → F (Subdominant) → C (Tonic).

This four-bar phrase lingers on the tonic before briefly visiting the subdominant and returning. It reflects the opening bars of a 12-bar blues and works as a standalone vamp or riff foundation.

Song Examples

Smokestack Lightning — Howlin' Wolf
Boom Boom — John Lee Hooker

Chord Details

C F

More Progressions in C Major

I–IV–V–I I–V–vi–IV I–vi–IV–V ii–V–I I–IV–V I–♭VII–IV vi–IV–I–V I–V–vi–iii–IV–I–IV–V I–IV I–V IV–V IV–I