I–vi–IV–V

The I–vi–IV–V progression defined the sound of 1950s doo-wop and early rock and roll. Its gentle descent from the tonic through the relative minor creates a warm, nostalgic feeling that has kept it popular well beyond its era. It remains a staple for ballads and sentimental songs.

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

Genre: pop, rock, doo-wop Difficulty: beginner

Choose a Key

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

Song Examples

Stand by Me — Ben E. King
Earth Angel — The Penguins
Every Breath You Take — The Police

Related Progressions

I–V–vi–IV vi–IV–I–V I–IV–V–I