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Chord progression · F major

The ’50s progression (I–vi–IV–V) in F 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 F major
F→Dm→B♭→C
Numerals
IviIVV

Play along

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

1FI
2Dmvi
3B♭IV
4CV

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

The chords

I F
1F3C4F2A1C1F
2AC1FA
FACF A C
vi Dm
××D2A3D1F
2A3D1FA
FAC5DDm/F
IV B♭
×1B♭2F3B♭4D1F
3B♭2D1F1B♭
FC5DB♭B♭/F
V C
×3C2EG1CE
GCE1C
EGCC/E

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 F 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