I-IV-V Progressions

[Austin Manny]

I have a question about I-IV-V progressions.
Are those just where you play the root, the fourth, and then the fifth? I am learning music theory and I hear these I-IV-V progressions come up alot on TalkBass.

Thanks,
Austin

[DeanT]

The simplistic answer is yes, you play the root, the fourth and the fifth. So in the key of A for example, you would play A, D and E.

[Austin Manny]

Originally Posted by DeanT

The simplistic answer is yes, you play the root, the fourth and the fifth. So in the key of A for example, you would play A, D and E.

So Blitzkrieg Bop by The Ramones is an example of this I-IV-V progression?

[steve66]

Originally Posted by Austin Manny

I have a question about I-IV-V progressions.
Are those just where you play the root, the fourth, and then the fifth? I am learning music theory and I hear these I-IV-V progressions come up alot on TalkBass.

Thanks,
Austin

Yes , In the Key of C Major, (Scale = C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C)

Therefore the I - IV - V chord pattern for the key of C is:

C (note I) = C - E- G (1st + 3rd + 5th note of the C scale)
F (note IV) = F - A - C (1st + 3rd + 5th note of the F scale)
G (note V) = G - B - D (1st + 3rd + 5th note of the G scale)

[Vic Winters]

Weezer - Beverly Hills is a more current example of I-IV-V.

[Mark Wilson]

Blues is also a I-IV-V

Well, a variation on it.

[lexxmexx]

These progressions are very common in Blues and Rock music. Try listening to oldies like Johnny B Goode, Route 66 etc and you will notice that they have a very distinct sound.

[Raeburn Mark]

Originally Posted by steve66

Yes , In the Key of C Major, (Scale = C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C)

Therefore the I - IV - V chord pattern for the key of C is:

C (note I) = C - E- G (1st + 3rd + 5th note of the C scale)
F (note IV) = F - A - C (1st + 3rd + 5th note of the F scale)
G (note V) = G - B - D (1st + 3rd + 5th note of the G scale)

Not to correct Steven, but well...

I think it's more important that you consider things in the Key, that makes things "Diatonic" (According to the Key)

Chords are built in 3rds (every other note in the scale of the key). SO...

C Major (The I Chord) = C - E - G (1st + 3rd + 5th note of the C Major scale)

F Major (The IV Chord) = F - A - C (4th + 6th + 1st note of the C Major scale)

G Major (The V Chord) = G - B - D (5th + 7th + 2nd note of the C Major scale)

That way, if you wanted to go outside the I IV and V chord progression, to something slightly different, you usually still build off of the C Major Scale.

Another popular chord progression, especially in Doowop and such, would be the I vi IV V, which is just a I IV V with a new chord, the mysterious vi! A Minor chord in a major key, imagine!

C Major (The I Chord) = C - E - G (1st + 3rd + 5th note of the C Major scale)

A minor (The vi Chord) = A - C - E (6th + 1st + 3rd note of the C Major scale)

F Major (The IV Chord) = F - A - C (4th + 6th + 1st note of the C Major scale)

G Major (The V Chord) = G - B - D (5th + 7th + 2nd note of the C Major scale)

You can do the same thing with any major key, from G, to the infamous D#.

Minor keys have different rules.

I'll scribble this out really fast while I'm at it, just so you know.

C Major:

C D E F G A B C

I ii iii IV V vi vii° I

C Dm Em F G Am Bdim C

CEG
DFA
EGB
FAC
GBD
ACE
BDF
CEG

You should memorize all of that. Especially the idea of skipping scale notes(letters) (C d E f G) to make chords, that applies in every key. You should also memorize I ii iii IV V vi vii° I.
Minor tonalities are a little different, but for the sake of comparison, you can usually get away with starting from the 6 as the new 1.

So, instead of C Major Roman Numerals
vi vii° I ii iii IV V vi

You have A Minor Roman Numerals(notice the uppercase-lowercase)
i ii° III vi v VI VII

That's the same scale as C, starting at A instead
A B C D E F G A

Am Bdim C Dm Em F G Am

ACE
BDF
CEG
DFA
EGB
FAC
GBD
ACE

[Andrew Jones]

So Blitzkrieg Bop by The Ramones is an example of this I-IV-V progression?

Yes! The Ramones did more with 3 cords than most musicians do in a lifetime



Aj

[MarkTAW]

There are some who say that all music is I-IV-V and all the rest is just chord substitutions. (ignoring key changes, but even the key changes often use the ii-V-I to get into them)

The I is the "tonic" - this is the tonal center of the piece. It's normally the first & last chord you play. You "wander" away from the tonal center to create interest so when you return to it it sounds satisfying.

The IV is the "subdominant" - this is a location that's neither the tonic nor the dominant. The subdominant is frequently played before the dominant. It's interesting because it contains almost none of the notes from the I chord and is a very stable harmony.

The V is the "dominant" chord. Over simplifying, the V chord contains the leading tone to the tonic (the 7th note in the scale, a half step down from the tonic), and therefore wants to resolve to the I chord.

The ii chord is a substitute for the IV chord. ii-V-I is extremely important in jazz music.
The vi chord is a substitute for the I chord.
The iii chord can substitute for either the I or the V chord, depending on the context.
The vii° chord isn't really used, but a V7 chord contains all the same notes.

You use the substitutes to add color to the song to preventing from just being I, IV, V all the time.

Other I-IV-V songs: You Really Got Me, Louie Louie (I think anyway, it's been a while), Wild Thing.

[Andrew Jones]

Actually you really break it down the sub dom is completely unnecessary 12 bar just I/V all you need.


BTW, mentioning Louie Louie, you guys aware that its actually V-7 ?

Pretty cool, That and the fact that the words are so obscured on the famous version makes that the most butchered song in rock IMHO


Aj

[MarkTAW]

Like I said, I wasn't sure about Louie Louie. I never *actually* learned the chords, just as I was going through song in my head that could be I-IV-V that one popped in.

No subdom? Then you're always either resolved (tonic) or about to resolve (dom). Then instead of "wandering" you're just yo-yoing. But then Coldplay seems to think it's ok, isn't their song Politik just an extended V7-I ... I hesitate to even call it a progression when it's just two chords like that.

[Andrew Jones]

I'm just talking blues in it's most basic form. Just



I/I/I/I

I/I/I/I

V/V/I/I


As far as Louie I wasn't trying to call you on anything, it's just one of those things you notice most guitarist not hearing/playing on the most garage rock tunes.

It's similar to Back in Black where it goes E,D,A/C# but no guitarist plays that inversion. ( not even the record its the bass that makes that sound) but their just jamming/smiling away.


I'm one to talk, I get the same looks at me playing Jazz.A good pianist is just looking at me smiling and grooving and thinking,,,,deaf.



Aj

[DocBop]

Most Rock is based around the I IV V progression. Which is basically variation of the II V I. Being IV is a sub for II. Listen to Blues and old 60s Rock and blatant ! IV V and I VI IV V and similar. As time moved forward the songwriters used tricks to make it sound less like I IV V and would center progressions around the IV chord.

Main thing I IV V is it's a common chord movement and you should focus your ET on hear it and recognizing it instantly.

[Stumbo]

Check out "Blues for Dummies". Comes with backing tracks. Good intro to the blues.