I–V–vi–IV (the “four chords”) · B♭ major

B♭ – F – Gm – E♭

IB♭ · B♭ D F

VF · F A C

viGm · G B♭ D

IVE♭ · E♭ G B♭

B♭ – F – Gm – E♭: the four chords under a great many pop songs — the verse of “Let It Be” is this progression in C. In B♭ major they are I, V, vi and IV.

Smooth voicings — root in the left hand

The right hand takes whichever inversion is nearest, so it moves by a step or two instead of jumping.

B♭ I · root position

1 · 3 · 5 over B♭ in the bass

F V · first inversion

3 · 5 · 1 over F in the bass

Gm vi · first inversion

♭3 · 5 · 1 over G in the bass

E♭ IV · second inversion

5 · 1 · 3 over E♭ in the bass

Why it works

Two major chords, a minor, a major: the minor chord in third place is the shadow that makes the return to IV and I feel bright. Played with the smooth voicings above, the right hand moves by a step or two between every chord.

I–V–vi–IV in every key

C major D♭ major D major E♭ major E major F major F♯ major G major A♭ major A major B♭ major B major

More progressions in B♭

ii–V–I in B♭ major ii–V–i in B♭ minor vi–IV–I–V in B♭ major I–vi–IV–V in B♭ major I–IV–V in B♭ major

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