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Chord progression · D major

The ’50s progression (I–vi–IV–V) in D 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 D major
D→Bm→G→A
Numerals
IviIVV

Play along

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

1DI
2Bmvi
3GIV
4AV

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

The chords

I D
××D1A3D2F♯
1A2D3F♯A
C4DAC5F♯D F♯ A
vi Bm
×1B3F♯4B2D1F♯
3B1D1F♯1B
C4DBC5F♯Bm/D
IV G
2G1BDGB3G
G1D3G2B
C4DGBC5G/D
V A
×A1E2A3C♯E
2A1C♯EA
C4EAC5C♯A/C♯

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 D 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