V–IV–I

The V–IV–I progression reverses the standard cadential approach, moving from dominant through subdominant to the tonic. This "retrogression" defies classical voice-leading rules but sounds perfectly natural in rock and blues contexts. Its raw, rebellious quality made it a defining sound of rock and roll.

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

Genre: rock, blues   Difficulty: beginner

Choose a Key

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

Song Examples