I–IV–I–V in A Major

Pattern: I – IV – I – V Chords: A – D – A – E

Chord Breakdown

Numeral	Chord	Type	Function
I	A (details)	major	Tonic
IV	D (details)	major	Subdominant
I	A (details)	major	Tonic
V	E (details)	major	Dominant

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through A (Tonic) → D (Subdominant) → A (Tonic) → E (Dominant).

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.

Song Examples

Mannish Boy — Muddy Waters
I'm Your Hoochie Coochie Man — Muddy Waters

Chord Details

A D E

More Progressions in A 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