The workhorses of popular music · I–IV–V–I · I–V–vi–IV · I–vi–IV–V
The four-chord progression, the Axis, the 50s doo-wop, Pachelbel — the skeletons behind thousands of songs.
Editorial content for this topic is in progress. The interactive player and pattern data are live below.
Hear the pattern
Interactive player — try the progression in any of the 18 keys, switch modes, and adjust tempo to find the feel you want.
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
I›C
100 BPM
FormulaI–IV–V–I · I–V–vi–IV · I–vi–IV–V
FunctionSee "About" below for harmonic role.
Soundits bright, immediate, everywhere-at-once character
Common in"Let It Be" — The Beatles · "Don't Stop Believin'" — Journey · "No Woman No Cry" — Bob Marley
Famous"Let It Be" — The Beatles · "Don't Stop Believin'" — Journey · "No Woman No Cry" — Bob Marley
The vivid pop red palette on this page is inspired by music-color synesthesia — standard progressions maps to vivid pop red, reflecting its bright, immediate, everywhere-at-once character.
About Standard Progressions
The four-chord progression, the Axis, the 50s doo-wop, Pachelbel — the skeletons behind thousands of songs.
Variations
Variation
Another way the pattern shows up in real music.
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
I›C
75 BPM
Variation
Another way the pattern shows up in real music.
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
I›C
70 BPM
Variation
Another way the pattern shows up in real music.
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
I›C
90 BPM
Famous songs & pieces
"Let It Be" — The Beatles
"Don't Stop Believin'" — Journey
"No Woman No Cry" — Bob Marley
Frequently asked questions
What is a standard progressions progression?
The four-chord progression, the Axis, the 50s doo-wop, Pachelbel — the skeletons behind thousands of songs.
How do I use this on the piano?
Start with the player above in C. Once the pattern is in your ear, transpose to the keys you actually play in. The Roman numerals stay the same; only the chord names change.