← Pop roadmap
intermediatetheory

I–V–vi–IV Progressions

The most common pop progression — recognize it in hundreds of songs.

Objective

Play I–V–vi–IV in four keys (G, C, D, A) and identify it by ear in at least three songs.

Concepts

  • ▸I–V–vi–IV is the most ubiquitous chord progression in Western pop music.
  • ▸In G major: G–D–Em–C. In C: C–G–Am–F. In D: D–A–Bm–G. In A: A–E–F#m–D.
  • ▸The vi chord (minor) is the "emotional dip" — it gives the progression its nostalgic, slightly melancholic quality.
  • ▸Because the same four chords repeat, thousands of songs share this progression — the melody is what differentiates them.
  • ▸Variations: starting on the IV (IV–I–V–vi) sounds more upbeat. Starting on the vi (vi–IV–I–V) sounds minor and darker.
  • ▸The I–V–vi–IV is sometimes called the "Axis of Awesome" progression — see their viral medley.

Diagram / Notation

I–V–vi–IV in four keys:

Key of G:  G  –  D  –  Em –  C
Key of C:  C  –  G  –  Am –  F
Key of D:  D  –  A  –  Bm –  G
Key of A:  A  –  E  –  F#m–  D

Variations (same chords, different starting point):
IV–I–V–vi: C–G–D–Em  (starts on C, sounds brighter)
vi–IV–I–V: Em–C–G–D  (starts on Em, sounds darker/minor)

Songs using G–D–Em–C:
"Let Her Go" (Passenger)
"Someone Like You" (Adele, with capo)
"No Woman No Cry" (Bob Marley)

Exercises

1.Play all four rotations
  1. 1.In G: play G–D–Em–C four times, 4 beats each chord.
  2. 2.Then D–Em–C–G (starting on V). Then Em–C–G–D (starting on vi). Then C–G–D–Em (starting on IV).
  3. 3.Same chords, completely different emotional feel. This is the power of rotation.
2.Ear training: identify in songs
  1. 1.Put on "Let Her Go" by Passenger. Listen through once.
  2. 2.Identify when the G, D, Em, and C chords fall.
  3. 3.Try to hear the "emotional dip" on the Em chord.
  4. 4.Repeat with two other songs from the examples above.
3.Write a 4-bar melody over it
  1. 1.Loop G–D–Em–C in G major at 90 BPM.
  2. 2.Sing or hum a simple melodic phrase over it. Just 4–8 notes.
  3. 3.Try to record it — you have just written a pop song hook.

Tips

  • 💡This progression is everywhere — once you hear it you cannot un-hear it. That is a good thing.
  • 💡The reason it works: it includes all the most consonant intervals in Western music, balanced between tension and resolution.
  • 💡Use it as a compositional starting point, not a cliché — every melody makes it unique.
  • 💡Notice how different strumming patterns and tempos completely transform the feel of the same 4 chords.

Sources & Further Study

▶ Video♪ Song◉ Article✦ Lesson
▶YouTube — Axis of Awesome "4 Chords" medley (I–V–vi–IV in dozens of songs)↗✦YouTube — Adele "Someone Like You" guitar tutorial↗◉Wikipedia — I–V–vi–IV progression↗
← PreviousCapo UsageNext →Strumming Dynamics