I–V–vi–IV Chord Progression
I–V–vi–IV — C, G, Am, F in the key of C — is the most-used chord loop in modern pop. Start the same four chords somewhere else and you get its famous variations.
Play them in C major — or pick another key
Pop anthem in C major
The most-used loop in modern pop — four chords that fit countless melodies. 4 bars, then it loops.
Solo on the fretboard
Press play — or tap a chord above — to see its notes light up. Open the scale in the fretboard tool
Pick a progression
Pop anthem in every key
| Key | Chords |
|---|---|
| C major | C – G – Am – F |
| D♭ major | D♭ – A♭ – B♭m – G♭ |
| D major | D – A – Bm – G |
| E♭ major | E♭ – B♭ – Cm – A♭ |
| E major | E – B – C♯m – A |
| F major | F – C – Dm – B♭ |
| F♯ major | F♯ – C♯ – D♯m – B |
| G major | G – D – Em – C |
| A♭ major | A♭ – E♭ – Fm – D♭ |
| A major | A – E – F♯m – D |
| B♭ major | B♭ – F – Gm – E♭ |
| B major | B – F♯ – G♯m – E |
The progression and its variations
Pop anthem
I – V – vi – IVThe most-used loop in modern pop — four chords that fit countless melodies.
In G: G – D – Em – CIn D: D – A – Bm – G
Sensitive pop
vi – IV – I – VThe same four chords started on the minor vi, which makes it sound darker and more emotional.
In G: Em – C – G – DIn D: Bm – G – D – A
Rising pop
IV – I – V – viStarts away from home on IV and ends on the minor vi, so the loop never quite resolves.
In G: C – G – D – EmIn D: G – D – A – Bm
Minor pop / epic
i – VI – III – VIIA dramatic minor loop used in pop, film and game music.
In Em: Em – C – G – DIn Dm: Dm – B♭ – F – C
Why they work
The four chords are the key's three most important major chords plus its relative minor, so almost any melody in the key fits over them.
Start on vi (Am–F–C–G) and the same loop sounds wistful; start on IV and it never quite settles. In a minor key, i–VI–III–VII is exactly the same chords again, seen from the relative minor.