I–vi–IV–V chord progression
The 50s progression. In D major it's D – Bm – G – A. Press play, then pick any key from the menu.
In D major, 4 beats per chord. Open in the progression builder
- ID
- viBm
- IVG
- VA
Why it works
Home, then its relative minor, then the two chords that lead back. D and Bm share two notes, so the first change is gentle; G and A then climb a step and set up the return. It's the classic sound of 1950s doo-wop ballads, and it still works anywhere you want something sweet and a little nostalgic. Each chord often gets two beats, which makes the loop feel like it's rocking back and forth.
How it feels: sweet, nostalgic, gently rocking.
Inside I–vi–IV–V
Play just the bass notes and you hear the shape of it: D – B – G – A. The smoothest way through it on piano:
- I → vi: D to Bm: play Bm in 1st inversion (D–F♯–B) and D and F♯ stay under the same fingers, while A moves up to B.
- vi → IV: Bm to G: play G in 1st inversion (B–D–G) and B and D stay under the same fingers, while F♯ moves up to G.
- IV → V: G to A: play A in root position (A–C♯–E), while G moves up to A, B up to C♯ and D up to E.
- V → I (back to the top): A to D: play D in 2nd inversion (A–D–F♯) and A stays under the same finger, while C♯ moves up to D and E up to F♯.
I–vi–IV–V in all 12 keys
Same 4-chord pattern, twelve keys. Tap a row to hear it there.
| Key | Chords | |
|---|---|---|
| C major | C – Am – F – G | |
| G major | G – Em – C – D | |
| D major | D – Bm – G – A | |
| A major | A – F♯m – D – E | |
| E major | E – C♯m – A – B | |
| B major | B – G♯m – E – F♯ | |
| F♯ major | F♯ – D♯m – B – C♯ | |
| D♭ major | D♭ – B♭m – G♭ – A♭ | |
| A♭ major | A♭ – Fm – D♭ – E♭ | |
| E♭ major | E♭ – Cm – A♭ – B♭ | |
| B♭ major | B♭ – Gm – E♭ – F | |
| F major | F – Dm – B♭ – C |
On guitar
The friendliest keys for I–vi–IV–V on guitar are G major and C major, where every chord is an open shape.
G major: G – Em – C – D
C major: C – Am – F – G
A capo lets you keep these easy shapes in any key. Capo chart.
Ways to vary it
- Replace IV with ii (Dm in C) to get I–vi–ii–V, the jazz turnaround.
- Use a seventh on the V to strengthen the final pull home.
- Arpeggiate the chords in triplets for the full 1950s ballad feel.
Related progressions
Build your own progression and share it as a link
I–vi–IV–V: questions
What is the I–vi–IV–V chord progression?
The 50s progression: the chords on degrees 1, 6, 4, 5 of a major key. In D major that's D – Bm – G – A.
Why does I–vi–IV–V sound good?
Home, then its relative minor, then the two chords that lead back. D and Bm share two notes, so the first change is gentle; G and A then climb a step and set up the return.
How do I play I–vi–IV–V in G?
G – Em – C – D. Every one of those has an open shape on guitar.
How do I change I–vi–IV–V to another key?
Keep the numerals and swap the key: the numbers say which note of the scale each chord is built on. Use the key menu in the player above, or the table of all 12 keys on this page.
What else is I–vi–IV–V called?
"1 6 4 5" or "doo-wop progression". Musicians also call it the 50s progression.
Chords in every key are generated from the scale and checked by the site's theory tests. We describe progressions in general terms and don't transcribe songs. Updated September 2026.