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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→F♯m→D→E
Numerals
IviIVV

Play along

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

1AI
2F♯mvi
3DIV
4EV

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
vi F♯m
1F♯3C♯4F♯1A1C♯1F♯
2A1C♯3F♯A
AC4C♯F♯F♯m/A
IV D
××D1A3D2F♯
1A2D3F♯A
AC4DF♯D/A
V E
E2B3E1G♯BE
1G♯4EE2B
BC4EG♯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