Super Simple Chords

Chord progression

The I–V–I–V chord progression

C – G – C – G in C. 144 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:

CIGVCIGV

In every key

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

KeyIVIV
CCGCG
DbDbAbDbAb
DDADA
EbEbBbEbBb
EEBEB
FFCFC
F#F#C#F#C#
GGDGD
AbAbEbAbEb
AAEAE
BbBbFBbF
BBF#BF#

Songs that go round it

144 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.

Questions about I–V–I–V

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

A loop of 4 chords: C – G – C – G 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–V–I–V progression?

144 songs in the library repeat it, including The Music Of The Night (from The Phantom Of The Opera), Ode To Joy, Good Day Sunshine, Dancing In The Dark and Christmas Lights.

How do I play I–V–I–V on piano?

Hold each chord with the right hand while the left hand plays its root, then swap in a pattern: engine 8ths is the left hand these songs use most. The player above plays it in any style and key.