I–IV–V Chord Progression
The three most important chords in any major key. Thousands of folk, country, blues and rock songs use nothing else.
I–IV–V in every key
The numerals stay the same in every key; only the chord names change. The easiest keys on guitar are A major, D major, G major.
Songs built on I–IV–V
- Silent NightCG7F
- Jingle BellsGCD
- Joy to the WorldDGA
- O Come, All Ye FaithfulGDC
- Away in a MangerGCD
- Deck the HallsGD7C
- The First NoelDAG
- Go Tell It on the MountainGCD7
- Angels We Have Heard on HighGDC
- O Christmas TreeCG7F
- Good King WenceslasGDC
- Up on the HousetopCFG7
- Amazing GraceGCD
- Come, Thou Fount of Every BlessingDGA
- Blessed AssuranceDGA
- Rock of AgesGD7C
- Nearer, My God, to TheeGCD7
- Will the Circle Be UnbrokenGCD
- Jesus Loves MeCFG7
- Down to the River to PrayDGA
- Swing Low, Sweet ChariotDGA
- When the Saints Go Marching InCG7F
- KumbayaCFG
- Man of Constant SorrowGCD
- Red River ValleyCG7F
- Oh! SusannaCG7F
- Wildwood FlowerCG7F
- In the PinesGCD7
- Midnight SpecialCGD7
- Cripple CreekADE
- John HenryGCD
- Wabash CannonballGCD7
- The Wild RoverGCD
- Waltzing MatildaCGF
- Cielito LindoCG7F
- Auld Lang SyneGDC
- My Country, 'Tis of TheeGD7C
- Yankee DoodleGD7C
- Happy Birthday to YouGD7C
- Twinkle, Twinkle, Little StarCFG
- Old MacDonald Had a FarmGCD7
- Itsy Bitsy SpiderCG7F
- Baa, Baa, Black SheepCFG7
- BingoCFG7
- This Old ManCFG7
Questions
What chords are in the I–IV–V progression?
In G major it is G, C and D. In any other key, use the same numbered steps (I – IV – V) of that key's scale.
What is the easiest key for I–IV–V on guitar?
A major, D major and G major use open chords, so they are the easiest places to start.