I–V–I–V

The simplest possible four-bar pattern, bouncing between tonic and dominant. This back-and-forth motion is the foundation of countless campfire songs and traditional folk tunes.

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

Genre: folk, country   Difficulty: beginner

Choose a Key

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

Song Examples