Violin · Level 2 · First steps
The four-chord pop progression in E major on Violin
Don’t just read about The four-chord pop progression in E 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.
E
Notes: E · G♯ · B
B
Notes: B · D♯ · F♯
C♯m
Notes: C♯ · E · G♯
A
Notes: A · C♯ · E
HOW TO PRACTISE IT
Six steps to a clean loop.
- Play each chord as an arpeggio, one note at a time: E, B, C♯m and A. Press play on the card, then match each note.
- Stay in first position: use the open string where you can and keep the fingers close to the string.
- 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 chord tones one at a time, one note per beat, with a full, even bow on each.
- 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.
E major has 4 sharps; its relative minor key is C♯ minor.
Questions
What are the chords in I–V–vi–IV in E major?
In E major the progression is E | B | C♯m | A.
What is the key signature of E major?
E major has 4 sharps. Its relative minor is C♯ 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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