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Chord Progressions

The chords that belong to any key, and the progressions built from them. Change the key to transpose everything.

Key

Mode

Progression

I–V–vi–IV in C major

C – G – Am – F

Labels

  1. Bar 1

    I

    C

    Tonic

    ×321

  2. Bar 2

    V

    G

    Dominant

    213

  3. Bar 3

    vi

    Am

    Tonic

    ×231

  4. Bar 4

    IV

    F

    Subdominant

    134211

Why it works

The most used progression in modern pop. It starts at home on I and moves to the tense V, then sidesteps to vi instead of resolving. vi is the relative minor and shares two notes with I. IV then leads back round to I, a gentle plagal move that keeps the loop going.

Heard in

  • Let It Be – The Beatles
  • With or Without You – U2
  • Someone Like You – Adele

Capo

  • Capo 5, G shapes: G, D, Em, C

Chords in C major

Built by stacking 3rds on each note of the scale. Chords used in the progression are outlined.

  • Tonichome, at rest
  • Subdominantmoves away
  • Dominanttension, pulls home
C major on the circle of fifths →