IIVVI

Classical / Pop / Rock · beginner

I-IV-V-I

The most fundamental progression in Western music. Tonic to subdominant to dominant and back — the engine behind thousands of songs.

resolvedcompleteclassicstable

Hear I-IV-V-I in Any Key

How to Identify It

Listen for the satisfying resolution — the V chord creates tension that resolves perfectly back to I. It has a complete, finished feeling. Think of any hymn or folk song.

Famous Examples

  • La Bamba — Ritchie Valens
  • Twist and Shout — Beatles
  • Wild Thing — The Troggs
  • Louis Louis — The Kingsmen
  • Countless hymns and folk songs
Test your earThe recognition trainer plays random progressions — identify them with instant feedback.
Open Trainer →

I-IV-V-I in All 12 Keys

CC – F – G – CC#D♭Db – Gb – Ab – DbDD – G – A – DD#E♭Eb – Ab – Bb – EbEE – A – B – EFF – Bb – C – FF#G♭F# – B – C# – F#GG – C – D – GG#A♭Ab – Db – Eb – AbAA – D – E – AA#B♭Bb – Eb – F – BbBB – E – F# – B

Related Progressions

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About the I-IV-V-I Progression

The I-IV-V-I progression uses the chords I – IV – V – I from the major scale. The most fundamental progression in Western music. Tonic to subdominant to dominant and back — the engine behind thousands of songs.

To recognise the I-IV-V-I by ear, focus on its characteristic mood — resolved, complete, classic, stable. 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.