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Chord progressions · '50s doo-wop

I–vi–IV–V chord progression in every key

The '50s doo-wop progression is I–vi–IV–V. In C major that is C, Am, F and G.

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Hear it in any key

The vi chord softens the move from I to IV before the V pulls back home.

I is home, vi stands in for home, IV moves away and V pulls back home. Pick a key and press play; the stay the same while the chords move.

  • '50s doo-wop in C major

    I – vi – IV – V

    1. C
    2. Am
    3. F
    4. G

    The vi chord softens the move from I to IV before the V pulls back home.

    Heard in Stand by Me, Every Breath You Take

Numerals follow the key's own scale, so III, VI and VII in a minor key are its own major chords. A ♭ or ♯ in front marks a chord from outside the key. How Roman numerals work

Practise the changes in time Play it with a capo

Every key

'50s doo-wop in all 12 major keys

Each row is the same progression. Tap a chord to learn its shapes, or a key to hear all of its chords.

'50s doo-wop in every major key
KeyChords
C major
G major
D major
A major
E major
B major
F♯ major
D♭ major
A♭ major
E♭ major
B♭ major
F major

Questions

'50s doo-wop, in short

What is the '50s doo-wop progression?
The '50s doo-wop progression is I–vi–IV–V. In C major that is C, Am, F and G. The vi chord softens the move from I to IV before the V pulls back home.
What are the chords of the '50s doo-wop progression in C major?
C, Am, F and G. I is home, vi stands in for home, IV moves away and V pulls back home.
What songs use the '50s doo-wop progression?
You can hear it in Stand by Me and Every Breath You Take, among many others.

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