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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→G♯m→E→F♯
Numerals
IviIVV

Play along

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

1BI
2G♯mvi
3EIV
4F♯V

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

The chords

I B
×1B2F♯3B4D♯1F♯
3B2D♯1F♯1B
BC4D♯F♯B D♯ F♯
vi G♯m
4fr1G♯3D♯4G♯1B1D♯1G♯
3B2D♯4G♯1B
BC4D♯G♯G♯m/B
IV E
E2B3E1G♯BE
1G♯4EE2B
BC4EG♯E/B
V F♯
1F♯3C♯4F♯2A♯1C♯1F♯
4A♯1C♯3F♯2A♯
C4A♯C♯F♯F♯/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