I5–IV5–V5

The I5–IV5–V5 progression is the power chord version of the classic I–IV–V, stripping away the thirds to leave only roots and fifths. Without major or minor quality, these chords gain a raw, neutral power that sounds massive through distortion. This is the foundation of rock, punk, and metal rhythm guitar, where harmonic ambiguity and sheer energy matter more than tonal color.

Pattern: I5 – IV5 – V5   Example in C Major: C5 – F5 – G5

Genre: rock, metal, punk, alternative   Difficulty: beginner

Choose a Key

C Major C5 – F5 – G5 G Major G5 – C5 – D5 D Major D5 – G5 – A5 A Major A5 – D5 – E5 E Major E5 – A5 – B5 B Major B5 – E5 – F♯5 F♯ Major F♯5 – B5 – C♯5 F Major F5 – B♭5 – C5 B♭ Major B♭5 – E♭5 – F5 E♭ Major E♭5 – A♭5 – B♭5 A♭ Major A♭5 – D♭5 – E♭5 D♭ Major D♭5 – G♭5 – A♭5 A Minor A5 – D5 – E5 E Minor E5 – A5 – B5 B Minor B5 – E5 – F♯5 F♯ Minor F♯5 – B5 – C♯5 C♯ Minor C♯5 – F♯5 – G♯5 G♯ Minor G♯5 – C♯5 – D♯5 D Minor D5 – G5 – A5 G Minor G5 – C5 – D5 C Minor C5 – F5 – G5 F Minor F5 – B♭5 – C5 B♭ Minor B♭5 – E♭5 – F5 E♭ Minor E♭5 – A♭5 – B♭5

Song Examples

Related Progressions

I–IV–V I–IV–V–I I–♭VII–IV