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Chord progression · E major

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

Play along

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

1EI
2C♯mvi
3AIV
4BV

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

The chords

I E
E2B3E1G♯BE
1G♯4EE2B
EBC5G♯E G♯ B
vi C♯m
×4C♯2E1G♯3C♯E
1G♯2C♯E4C♯
EC5G♯C♯C♯m/E
IV A
×A1E2A3C♯E
2A1C♯EA
EAC5C♯A/E
V B
×1B2F♯3B4D♯1F♯
3B2D♯1F♯1B
BC5D♯F♯B/D♯

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 E 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