Super Simple Chords

Chord progression

The IV–vi–I–IV chord progression

F – Am – C – F in C. 24 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:

FIVAmviCIFIV

In every key

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

KeyIVviIIV
CFAmCF
DbGbBbmDbGb
DGBmDG
EbAbCmEbAb
EAC#mEA
FBbDmFBb
F#BD#mF#B
GCEmGC
AbDbFmAbDb
ADF#mAD
BbEbGmBbEb
BEG#mBE

Songs that go round it

24 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–vi–I–IV

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

A loop of 4 chords: F – Am – C – 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 IV–vi–I–IV progression?

24 songs in the library repeat it, including Jealous, Hometown Glory, Shout To The Lord, Au Revoir and The Fighter.

How do I play IV–vi–I–IV 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.