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Chord progression · B♭ major

The ’50s progression (I–vi–IV–V) in B♭ 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 B♭ major
B♭→Gm→E♭→F
Numerals
IviIVV

Play along

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

1B♭I
2Gmvi
3E♭IV
4FV

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

The chords

I B♭
×1B♭2F3B♭4D1F
3B♭2D1F1B♭
C4DFB♭B♭ D F
vi Gm
2G1B♭DG3D4G
G2D3G1B♭
C4DGB♭Gm/B♭
IV E♭
6fr×1E♭2B♭3E♭4G1B♭
G3E♭4G1B♭
C4GB♭E♭E♭/B♭
V 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–vi–IV–V in every key

CD♭DE♭EFF♯GA♭AB♭B

More progressions in B♭ 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