Each of the guitar chords created from a particular scale will also have a unique relationship to the Key. Today, I want to show you how to put a chord progression together using any given Key.
Notice how the
I chord has the same
letter name as the
1st degree of the scale, the
IV chord has the same letter name as the
4th degree and the
V chord has the same letter name as the
5th degree. This is called a
I IV V chord progression. The progression ends by returning again to the I chord.
- C = 1 = I
- D = 2 = II
- E = 3 = III
- F = 4 = IV
- G = 5 = V
- A = 6 = VI
- B = 7 = VII
- C = 8 = VIII (same as I)
I IV V chord progressions are used for the 12 bar blues, plus many rock, blue-grass, folk and other popular tunes. The V chord (G) is commonly played as a dominant 7th in order to create more tension or pull back toward the I chord (C).
This would slightly alter the
chord progression given above to:
In other words, the G7 chord can be used as a substitute for the G Major chord and vice-versa.
Now, if you are new to the guitar, this chord progression might be a little hard to play in the Key of C. In that case, we can simply transpose it into another Key!
For example, the next Key in order of sharps is G. The scale degrees are:
G A B C D E F# GSo, our I IV V I chord progression for the Key of G is: G C D G
If we convert the V chord to a dominant 7th chord we have:
*Notice how each chord gets it's name from the specific degree of the scale it is derived from.
Here are the remaining I IV V7 I chord progressions for the Keys of D A and E. This completes the first five Keys (in order of sharps).
Free Download:
How to Transpose Chords
Chords By Key
Common Chord Progressions PDF
LESSON OBJECTIVE:
To become familiar with using I IV V chord progressions in order to play songs in various keys.
PRACTICE:
1. Download the free PDF files above and play the I IV V7 I chords in each key. Start with the Key of A as it is the easiest.
2. Once you feel comfortable with the chords in the Key of A try the same chord progression in the Key of D.
3. Continue on in this way until you are able to play the I IV V7 I chord progressions in all five Keys shown above (E,A,D,G,C).
*Remember "ECONOMY OF MOTION" as you move from chord to chord. If a finger plays the same string, but not the same fret on two different chords, DON'T PICK IT UP! Instead, SLIDE your finger along the string when moving to another fret.
For Further Study:
Get a FREE 'cheat sheet' you can use to...
Play a I-IV-V Chord Progression in 5 Keys
Previous Lessons...How The Strings Are Identified
Tuning The Guitar
Introducing The Guitar Fretboard
How to Read Guitar Tab
The Importance of Rhythm
Two Easy Minor Chords
Guitar Scales
Learn Every Major Scale
Primary Guitar Chords
