Rock Rhythm:

Chord Progressions

V IV I

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In this section, I am going to observe the KISS principle and try to Keep It Super Simple. If there are things on this page that don't understand, it might pay to go to the Classic Rock Harmony page.

Numerous Classic Rock songs use the Primary Triads to create cool sounding Chord Progressions, but with a simple twist that will make them sound more 'Rock'.

You just need to follow these two steps;

1. Identify the Primary Chords in a Key; I, IV, & V

This chart lists the chords in the most common/popular Rock keys!

For example, in the key of A, the I, IV, & V chords would be A, D, and E.

2. Now, treat the V chord as the tonic or main chord.

For example, play the chords backwards and repeat the first chord.

| E | D | A | E |

| V | IV | I | V |

For the sake of simplicity, I will call this a V IV I V progression.

Technically, once we make the V Chord the tonic, we would be in a Mixolydian mode, and the chords should be analysed as I bVII IV I but as I said, we are going to try and Keep It Super Simple, for now.

Below I have listed well known Classic Rock songs in several keys. They all use the Primary Triads, but treat the V chord as the main chord, or tonic. There are many variations, which have been created by changing the order of the chords, or the beats that the chords change on.

I have 'quantised' the notation to help illustrate the concept, so I have not notated anticipations or syncopated rhythms. I have also analysed the chords, so that you will start to recognise progressions, even when they are in different keys.

The Beatles - Get Back (Chorus)