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Chord progression · C major

The Mixolydian rock progression (I–♭VII–IV–I) in C 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 C major
C→B♭→F→C
Numerals
I♭VIIIVI

Play along

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

1CI
2B♭♭VII
3FIV
4CI

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

The chords

I C
×3C2EG1CE
GCE1C
CEGC E G
♭VII B♭
×1B♭2F3B♭4D1F
3B♭2D1F1B♭
C4DFB♭B♭ D F
IV F
1F3C4F2A1C1F
2AC1FA
ACFF/A

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.

I–♭VII–IV–I in every key

CD♭DE♭EFF♯GA♭AB♭B

More progressions in C major

I–V–vi–IVI–IV–V–IVI–vi–IV–Vvi–IV–I–V12-bar bluesii–V–II–vi–ii–VI–V–vi–iii–IV–I–IV–V