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Chord progression · C♯ major

The ’50s progression (I–vi–IV–V) in C♯ 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 C♯ major
C♯→A♯m→F♯→G♯
Numerals
IviIVV

Play along

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

1C♯I
2A♯mvi
3F♯IV
4G♯V

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

The chords

I C♯
4fr×1C♯2G♯3C♯4E♯1G♯
1G♯2C♯3E♯4C♯
C4E♯C♯G♯C♯ E♯ G♯
vi A♯m
×1A♯3E♯4A♯2C♯1E♯
3A♯1C♯1E♯1A♯
C4E♯C♯A♯A♯m/C♯
IV F♯
1F♯3C♯4F♯2A♯1C♯1F♯
4A♯1C♯3F♯2A♯
C4C♯F♯A♯F♯/C♯
V G♯
4fr1G♯3D♯4G♯2B♯1D♯1G♯
1G♯2D♯4G♯3B♯
B♯D♯G♯G♯/B♯

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 C♯ 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