Super Simple Chords

Chord progression

The IV–iii–IV–iii chord progression

F – Em – F – Em in C. 15 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:

FIVEmiiiFIVEmiii

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.

KeyIViiiIViii
FEmFEm
GbFmGbFm
GF#mGF#m
AbGmAbGm
AG#mAG#m
BbAmBbAm
BA#mBA#m
CBmCBm
DbCmDbCm
DC#mDC#m
EbDmEbDm
ED#mED#m

Songs that go round it

15 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 IV–iii–IV–iii

What is the IV–iii–IV–iii chord progression?

A loop of 4 chords: F – Em – F – Em 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 IV–iii–IV–iii progression?

15 songs in the library repeat it, including Secrets, An Ordinary Couple, Baby Come Back, Hey Girl and In My Head.

How do I play IV–iii–IV–iii 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.