I–IV–V–IV chord progression
Rock and roll loop — I–IV–V–IV · also called the 1–4–5–4
Rate this tool
4.7 · 6 ratingsI–IV–V–IV chord progression — how it works
The I–IV–V–IV progression turns the three primary chords into a four-bar loop by stepping back through IV on the way home, giving the rocking, back-and-forth feel of garage rock.
It moves from the tonic (I) to the subdominant (IV) to the dominant (V) to the subdominant (IV) and then repeats. Each chord lasts 4 beats, so one pass of the 4 chords is 4 bars of 4/4.
In C major the chords are C – F – G – F; in G major they are G – C – D – C. Press play above to hear the progression, then pick the key that fits your voice or your song and set the tempo you want to practise at.
I–IV–V–IV in every key
The numerals stay the same; only the chords change. Find your key below, or pick it in the player above to hear it.
| Key | Chords |
|---|---|
| C major | C – F – G – F |
| D♭ major | D♭ – G♭ – A♭ – G♭ |
| D major | D – G – A – G |
| E♭ major | E♭ – A♭ – B♭ – A♭ |
| E major | E – A – B – A |
| F major | F – B♭ – C – B♭ |
| F♯ major | F♯ – B – C♯ – B |
| G major | G – C – D – C |
| A♭ major | A♭ – D♭ – E♭ – D♭ |
| A major | A – D – E – D |
| B♭ major | B♭ – E♭ – F – E♭ |
| B major | B – E – F♯ – E |
Songs that use it
Well-known songs built on this progression, at least in the section each is known for. Each title opens its sheet music on MuseScore.
- Wild Thing — The Troggs
- Hang On Sloopy — The McCoys
See scores on MuseScore
What musicians say
- 5★5
- 4★0
- 3★1
- 2★0
- 1★0
クラシック～ジャズまでキーをC（ハ長調・ハ短調）でいくつものパターンを見聞きしましたが、とても分かり易くて良かった。
Frequently asked questions
- What chords are in the I–IV–V–IV progression in C major?
- In C major the I–IV–V–IV progression is C – F – G – F. The same numerals give G – C – D – C in G major; the table above lists all twelve keys.
- What is the I–IV–V–IV progression called?
- I–IV–V–IV is known as the Rock and roll loop, and also as the 1–4–5–4. The I–IV–V–IV progression turns the three primary chords into a four-bar loop by stepping back through IV on the way home, giving the rocking, back-and-forth feel of garage rock.
- How long is the I–IV–V–IV progression?
- Each chord lasts 4 beats, so one pass of the 4 chords is 4 bars of 4/4. Loop it to keep the harmony going under a verse or a solo.
- What songs use the I–IV–V–IV progression?
- "Wild Thing" by The Troggs and "Hang On Sloopy" by The McCoys are built on it, at least in the section each is known for.