I–ii–IV–V

This progression creates a sense of escalating energy by stepping from the tonic through the supertonic and subdominant to the dominant. It provides a satisfying, gradual harmonic build popular in verse sections.

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

Genre: pop, rock   Difficulty: intermediate

Choose a Key

C Major C – Dm – F – G G Major G – Am – C – D D Major D – Em – G – A A Major A – Bm – D – E E Major E – F♯m – A – B B Major B – C♯m – E – F♯ F♯ Major F♯ – G♯m – B – C♯ F Major F – Gm – B♭ – C B♭ Major B♭ – Cm – E♭ – F E♭ Major E♭ – Fm – A♭ – B♭ A♭ Major A♭ – Bbm – D♭ – E♭ D♭ Major D♭ – Ebm – G♭ – A♭

Song Examples