Chord progression · A major

The Mixolydian rock progression (I–♭VII–IV–I) in A major

Borrows the ♭VII chord from the Mixolydian mode for a big, open classic-rock sound. The ♭VII–IV–I movement sounds great with power chords too.

Heard in “Sweet Child o’ Mine” – Guns N’ Roses (verse) and many more.

Chords in A major
A→G→D→A
Numerals
I♭VIIIVI

Play along

4 bars of 4 beats, looping · pick a key above to transpose

1AI
2G♭VII
3DIV
4AI

Strum pattern: ↓   ↓↑  ↑↓↑ (down, down-up, up-down-up) — count “1 2 & 3 & 4 &”. Learn this strum →

The chords

I A
×A1E2A3C♯E
2A1C♯EA
AC4EC♯A C♯ E
♭VII G
2G1BDGB3G
G1D3G2B
GBC4DG B D
IV D
××D1A3D2F♯
1A2D3F♯A
AC4DF♯D/F♯

Piano voicings use inversions so each chord is as close as possible to the one before — your hand barely moves. Switch to “Root position” to compare.