I–IV–V chord progression: the three-chord song
I–IV–V uses the three major chords of a key: C F G in C. Hear it, get it in all 12 keys, and learn why it powers rock, folk, country and the blues.
I–IV–V uses the 1st, 4th and 5th chords of a major key, its three major chords: in C, C – F – G, then back to C. These three chords harmonise every note of the major scale, so countless folk, rock and country songs need nothing else.
Listen in C major
Or one chord at a time:
What does I–IV–V sound like?
Bright, simple and strong: the V chord builds tension that resolves when you return to I.
Songs that use I–IV–V
| Song | Where |
|---|---|
| La Bamba (Ritchie Valens) | whole song loop, in C: C F G |
| Twist and Shout (The Beatles version) | main loop, in D: D G A |
| Wild Thing (The Troggs) | main riff, in A: A D E |
Titles only. Listed only when the chords of that section are certain; chords as usually written for that section.
How to recognise it by ear
- Hear the pull of V back to I: that resolution is the heart of tonal music.
- IV sounds like a step away from home; V sounds like the doorstep.
- Turn every chord into a dominant seventh and stretch it to 12 bars: you have the blues.
Quick test: which progression?
Each sound plays the chords one after another. Pick the progression.
Score: / 3 (your score updates as you answer)
I–IV–V in all 12 major keys
Chords built from the Roman numerals I IV V I on each key's own scale.
| Key | Chords | Hear it |
|---|---|---|
| C major | C – F – G – C | |
| G major | G – C – D – G | |
| D major | D – G – A – D | |
| A major | A – D – E – A | |
| E major | E – A – B – E | |
| B major | B – E – F♯ – B | |
| F♯ major | F♯ – B – C♯ – F♯ | |
| D♭ major | D♭ – G♭ – A♭ – D♭ | |
| A♭ major | A♭ – D♭ – E♭ – A♭ | |
| E♭ major | E♭ – A♭ – B♭ – E♭ | |
| B♭ major | B♭ – E♭ – F – B♭ | |
| F major | F – B♭ – C – F |
Frequently asked questions
What are the chords of I–IV–V in G?
G, C and D. In C it is C F G, in D it is D G A, in A it is A D E, in E it is E A B.
Why are I, IV and V called the primary chords?
They are the three major chords of a major key, built on the tonic, subdominant and dominant, and together they contain all seven notes of the scale.
What is the difference between I–IV–V and the 12-bar blues?
The 12-bar blues uses the same three chords in a fixed 12-bar pattern, usually as dominant seventh chords.
How do you find I, IV and V in any key?
Count up the major scale: I is the 1st note, IV the 4th, V the 5th. In F: F, B flat, C.