Guitar · Level 2 · First steps

The four-chord pop progression on Guitar

I–V–vi–IV in all 12 keys.

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THE SHORT ANSWER

I–V–vi–IV is the most-used progression in modern pop. Once it is comfortable in one key you can play along with a large share of the charts.

Choose a key

C majorC · G · Am · FD♭ majorD♭ · A♭ · B♭m · G♭D majorD · A · Bm · GE♭ majorE♭ · B♭ · Cm · A♭E majorE · B · C♯m · AF majorF · C · Dm · B♭F♯ majorF♯ · C♯ · D♯m · BG majorG · D · Em · CA♭ majorA♭ · E♭ · Fm · D♭A majorA · E · F♯m · DB♭ majorB♭ · F · Gm · E♭B majorB · F♯ · G♯m · E

Listen first: C major

C

C major

Notes: C · E · G

×EADGBE

G

G major

Notes: G · B · D

EADGBE

Am

A minor

Notes: A · C · E

×EADGBE

F

F major

Notes: F · A · C

EADGBE
1
C
2
G
3
Am
4
F

Why it works

Starting on I and ending on IV leaves the phrase slightly open, which invites the loop to repeat.

On another instrument

The four-chord pop progression on Piano →The four-chord pop progression on Ukulele →The four-chord pop progression on Mandolin →The four-chord pop progression on Banjo →The four-chord pop progression on Violin →The four-chord pop progression on Flute →

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