I–V–I–V in C Major

Pattern: I – V – I – V Chords: C – G – C – G

Chord Breakdown

Numeral	Chord	Type	Function
I	C (details)	major	Tonic
V	G (details)	major	Dominant
I	C (details)	major	Tonic
V	G (details)	major	Dominant

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through C (Tonic) → G (Dominant) → C (Tonic) → G (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

C G

More Progressions in C 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