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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→Am→F→G
Numerals
IviIVV

Play along

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

1CI
2Amvi
3FIV
4GV

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

The chords

I C
×3C2EG1CE
GCE1C
CEGC E G
vi Am
×A2E3A1CE
1ACEA
CEAAm/C
IV F
1F3C4F2A1C1F
2AC1FA
CFAF/C
V G
2G1BDGB3G
G1D3G2B
BC4DGG/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