I–I–IV–V

Lingering on the tonic for two bars before moving to IV and V, this progression mirrors natural storytelling pacing. The extended tonic lets lyrics breathe before the harmony moves forward.

Pattern: I – I – IV – V   Example in C Major: C – C – F – G

Genre: country, folk   Difficulty: beginner

Choose a Key

C Major C – C – F – G G Major G – G – C – D D Major D – D – G – A A Major A – A – D – E E Major E – E – A – B B Major B – B – E – F♯ F♯ Major F♯ – F♯ – B – C♯ F Major F – F – B♭ – C B♭ Major B♭ – B♭ – E♭ – F E♭ Major E♭ – E♭ – A♭ – B♭ A♭ Major A♭ – A♭ – D♭ – E♭ D♭ Major D♭ – D♭ – G♭ – A♭

Song Examples