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Chord progression · A♭ major

The ’50s progression (I–vi–IV–V) in A♭ major

The doo-wop progression. The same four chords as the pop progression in a different order, giving it a sweeter, more nostalgic feel.

Heard in “Stand by Me” – Ben E. King, “Earth Angel” – The Penguins and many more.

Chords in A♭ major
A♭→Fm→D♭→E♭
Numerals
IviIVV

Play along

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

1A♭I
2Fmvi
3D♭IV
4E♭V

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

The chords

I A♭
4fr1A♭3E♭4A♭2C1E♭1A♭
1A♭2E♭4A♭3C
CA♭E♭A♭ C E♭
vi Fm
1F3C4F1A♭1C1F
1A♭C2F3C
CFA♭Fm/A♭
IV D♭
4fr×1D♭2A♭3D♭4F1A♭
1A♭2D♭3F4D♭
C4FA♭D♭D♭/A♭
V E♭
6fr×1E♭2B♭3E♭4G1B♭
G3E♭4G1B♭
GC4B♭E♭E♭/G

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–vi–IV–V in every key

CD♭DE♭EFF♯GA♭AB♭B

More progressions in A♭ major

I–V–vi–IVI–IV–V–IVvi–IV–I–V12-bar bluesii–V–II–vi–ii–VI–V–vi–iii–IV–I–IV–VI–♭VII–IV–I