Piano · Level 2 · First steps
The four-chord pop progression in F major on Piano
Don’t just read about The four-chord pop progression in F major. Play it.
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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.
F
Notes: F · A · C
C
Notes: C · E · G
Dm
Notes: D · F · A
B♭
Notes: B♭ · D · F
HOW TO PRACTISE IT
Six steps to a clean loop.
- Play each chord on its own: F, C, Dm and B♭. Press play on the chord card, then match the sound.
- Keep the right hand curved over the keys and move it as one unit between chords.
- Set the tempo to 48 BPM and play the progression with one chord per bar. Loop the four bars without a pause between the last chord and the first.
- Play the left-hand bass note on beat one and the right-hand chord on every beat.
- Raise the tempo to 64 BPM once you can play the loop three times without stopping.
- Record one take, listen back and check for a steady pulse across the loop point.
Listen for
Aim for a steady pulse across the loop point. A common mistake is accenting the first bar so much that the loop sounds like it restarts.
Why it works
Starting on I and ending on IV leaves the phrase slightly open, which invites the loop to repeat.
F major has 1 flat; its relative minor key is D minor.
Questions
What are the chords in I–V–vi–IV in F major?
In F major the progression is F | C | Dm | B♭.
What is the key signature of F major?
F major has 1 flat. Its relative minor is D minor.
Is this lesson right for my level?
This is a level 2 lesson (first steps). If it feels too hard, start with “The fifties progression”.
Your hands learn faster than your eyes.
Reading a chord chart is step one. Play it to a metronome, record it, and hear yourself get better, all in one app.
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