Super Simple Chords

Chord progression

The I–IV–bVII–IV chord progression

C – F – Bb – F in C. 23 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:

CIFIVBbbVIIFIV

In every key

Find your song's key on the left: its chords are the row. Tap a key to play the loop in it. Each column keeps its colour, whatever the key.

KeyIIVbVIIIV
CFBbF
DbGbCbGb
DGCG
EbAbDbAb
EADA
FBbEbBb
F#BEB
GCFC
AbDbGbDb
ADGD
BbEbAbEb
BEAE

Songs that go round it

23 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.

Questions about I–IV–bVII–IV

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

A loop of 4 chords: C – F – Bb – 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–bVII–IV progression?

23 songs in the library repeat it, including Express Yourself, Let’s Hear It For The Boy, Three Little Birds, Cherry, Cherry and Searchin' My Soul (theme from Ally McBeal).

How do I play I–IV–bVII–IV on piano?

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