Basic I-IV progressions

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Basic Progressions
(I-IV)

"The repeated “E-A” Basic Progression, which follows the Circle Of Fifths movement, is one of the least complex and most popular changes in all popular music with numerous examples found throughout the twentieth century. Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones has made millions of dollars over the years writing and playing hard rock songs with these two basic chords played on an open G tuned electric guitar. Examples of hit songs created around the Basic Progression include the Beatles’ 1964 Love Me Do, John Denver’s 1974 number one Sunshine On My Shoulders, and Bruce Springsteen’s 1985 Glory Days." (Excerpt from Money Chords - A Songwriter's Sourcebook of Popular Chord Progressions © 2000 by Richard J. Scott) Three great examples of basic progressions are shown below in the key of C.

Midnigt Hour (Wilson Pickett - 1965) verse progression

C / F / C / F /

Glory Days (Bruce Springsteen - 1985) verse progression

C / / / F / / / C / / / F / / /

Once Bitten Twice Shy (Greay White - 1989) chorus progression

C / / / / / / / F / / / / / / /

Click below for the best in free Basic Progression lessons available on the web as well as links to various song examples.

Lessons

The I-IV-I Change (Olav Torvund)

I-ii Progressions (Olav Torvund)

Song Examples

Imagine (MoneyChords)

I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For (MoneyChords)

Leaving, On A Jet Plane (MoneyChords)

Tiny Dancer (MoneyChords)