Super Simple Chords

Chord progression

The bVII–IV–I–bVII chord progression

Bb – F – C – Bb in C. 16 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:

BbbVIIFIVCIBbbVII

In every key

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

KeybVIIIVIbVII
CBbFCBb
DbCbGbDbCb
DCGDC
EbDbAbEbDb
EDAED
FEbBbFEb
F#EBF#E
GFCGF
AbGbDbAbGb
AGDAG
BbAbEbBbAb
BAEBA

Songs that go round it

16 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 bVII–IV–I–bVII

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

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

16 songs in the library repeat it, including Pop Muzik, Broken, Can't Get Enough, Champagne Jam and Findin' A Good Man.

How do I play bVII–IV–I–bVII 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.