Chord progression · G major

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

Play along

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

1GI
2F♭VII
3CIV
4GI

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

The chords

I G
2G1BDGB3G
G1D3G2B
GBC4DG B D
♭VII F
1F3C4F2A1C1F
2AC1FA
FACF A C
IV C
×3C2EG1CE
GCE1C
EGCC/E

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.