I–III–IV–iv

The I–III–IV–iv progression features a chromatic ascent from I to IV via a secondary dominant III, then darkens with a borrowed minor iv. The III chord (V/vi) adds unexpected brightness while the iv creates a ♭ittersweet descent. This pattern appears in classic rock and singer-songwriter music.

Pattern: I – III – IV – iv   Example in C Major: C – E – F – Fm

Genre: pop, rock   Difficulty: intermediate

Choose a Key

C Major C – E – F – Fm G Major G – B – C – Cm D Major D – F♯ – G – Gm A Major A – C♯ – D – Dm E Major E – G♯ – A – Am B Major B – D♯ – E – Em F♯ Major F♯ – A♯ – B – Bm F Major F – A – B♭ – Bbm B♭ Major B♭ – D – E♭ – Ebm E♭ Major E♭ – G – A♭ – Abm A♭ Major A♭ – C – D♭ – Dbm D♭ Major D♭ – F – G♭ – Gbm

Song Examples