IiiiIVV

Blues / Rock · intermediate

I-III-IV-V

A blues-influenced progression with a major III chord instead of the diatonic iii minor. The major III gives it a bright, slightly unexpected lift.

brightbluesysurprisingenergetic

Hear I-III-IV-V in Any Key

How to Identify It

The III major chord is 'borrowed' — it doesn't belong to the key naturally. This gives the progression a slightly surprising brightness. Common in rockabilly and southern rock.

Famous Examples

  • Brown Eyed Girl — Van Morrison
  • La Grange (intro) — ZZ Top
  • Rockabilly and country rock traditions
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I-III-IV-V in All 12 Keys

CC – E – F – GC#D♭Db – F – Gb – AbDD – F# – G – AD#E♭Eb – G – Ab – BbEE – G# – A – BFF – A – Bb – CF#G♭F# – A# – B – C#GG – B – C – DG#A♭Ab – C – Db – EbAA – C# – D – EA#B♭Bb – D – Eb – FBB – D# – E – F#

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About the I-III-IV-V Progression

The I-III-IV-V progression uses the chords I – iii – IV – V from the major scale. A blues-influenced progression with a major III chord instead of the diatonic iii minor. The major III gives it a bright, slightly unexpected lift.

To recognise the I-III-IV-V by ear, focus on its characteristic mood — bright, bluesy, surprising, energetic. Practice hearing it in different keys using the player above. Each key gives the same harmonic movement but a different tonal colour, which is why being able to identify the progression regardless of key is the real skill.