I–V–IV–I

This circular progression leaves the tonic, peaks at the dominant, descends through the subdominant, and returns home. It creates a satisfying round-trip journey common in folk singalongs.

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

Genre: folk, country   Difficulty: beginner

Choose a Key

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

Song Examples