I–V–I–V in A Major

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

Chord Breakdown

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

Harmonic Analysis

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

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.

Song Examples

Oh! Susanna — Stephen Foster
Clementine — Traditional

Chord Details

A 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