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All chord progressions

The 50s progression

I – vi – IV – V

Also called the doo-wop progression. It was everywhere in 1950s songs and still turns up in big hits today.

CmajAminFmajGmaj

In C major.

Play it in DrHits

Opens the app with these four chords ready. Press keys ▶ to hear them.

Songs that use it

  • Every Breath You Take, The Police
  • Blank Space, Taylor Swift

Songs often play it in another key, or start on another chord of the loop.

Make it your own

  • A piano or Rhodes sound suits this one.
  • Tap the CRD button until it says STRUM to play it like a guitar.
  • Turn on the 7th for the last chord (G7 in C) to pull back to the start.

In every key

Pick the key that suits your voice.

KeyChordsOpen
C majorCAmFGPlay
D♭ majorD♭B♭mG♭A♭Play
D majorDBmGAPlay
E♭ majorE♭CmA♭B♭Play
E majorEC♯mABPlay
F majorFDmB♭CPlay
F♯ majorF♯D♯mBC♯Play
G majorGEmCDPlay
A♭ majorA♭FmD♭E♭Play
A majorAF♯mDEPlay
B♭ majorB♭GmE♭FPlay
B majorBG♯mEF♯Play

What do the numbers mean?

Musicians number the chords of a key with Roman numerals. Capitals (I, IV, V) are major chords, which sound bright. Small letters (ii, iii, vi) are minor chords, which sound darker. DrHits prints these numbers at the bottom of every chord pad.