I–IV–I–V

This compact four-bar pattern shuttles between the three primary blues chords, returning to I in the middle. It works as a simplified blues form and appears as a turnaround in longer blues structures.

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

Genre: blues, rock   Difficulty: beginner

Choose a Key

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

Song Examples