Super Simple Chords

Chord progression

The I–IV–V–IV chord progression

C – F – G – F in C. 49 songs in the library go round it. Hear it in any style and key, and see it in all twelve keys.

Tuning the piano…
Style
Key

Want to mix it with other hands?

The loop

4 chords, round and round, in C. Each chord on the keys:

CIFIVGVFIV

In every key

Find your song's key on the left: its chords are the row. Each column keeps its colour, whatever the key.

KeyIIVVIV
CCFGF
DbDbGbAbGb
DDGAG
EbEbAbBbAb
EEABA
FFBbCBb
F#F#BC#B
GGCDC
AbAbDbEbDb
AADED
BbBbEbFEb
BBEF#E

Songs that go round it

49 songs, best known first. Rest the mouse on one to hear it.

All of them

Left hands these songs use

The patterns most often played under this loop.

The same loop, starting elsewhere

The same chords in the same order, begun on another chord: songs often move between them.

FIVCIFIVGV

Summer Nights · Come, Thou Fount Of Every Blessing · Brandy (You're A Fine Girl)

Questions about I–IV–V–IV

What is the I–IV–V–IV chord progression?

A loop of 4 chords: C – F – G – F in C. The numerals say each chord's place in the key, so the same loop can be played in any key.

What songs use the I–IV–V–IV progression?

49 songs in the library repeat it, including Inside Out, Walking On Sunshine, Music, Closer To Free and Angels We Have Heard on High.

How do I play I–IV–V–IV on piano?

Hold each chord with the right hand while the left hand plays its root, then swap in a pattern: bossa sway is the left hand these songs use most. The player above plays it in any style and key.