I–IV

The I–IV movement is one of the most fundamental harmonic motions in popular music. Moving from the tonic to the subdominant creates a warm, uplifting shift that forms the backbone of countless songs.

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

Genre: pop, rock   Difficulty: beginner

Choose a Key

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

Song Examples