I–vi–IV–V (the ’50s progression) · A major

A – F♯m – D – E

IA · A C♯ E

viF♯m · F♯ A C♯

IVD · D F♯ A

VE · E G♯ B

A – F♯m – D – E: the doo-wop changes, under “Stand by Me” and a whole decade of ballads. In A major they are I, vi, IV and V.

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.

A I · root position

1 · 3 · 5 over A in the bass

F♯m vi · first inversion

♭3 · 5 · 1 over F♯ in the bass

D IV · second inversion

5 · 1 · 3 over D in the bass

E V · second inversion

5 · 1 · 3 over E in the bass

Why it works

I and vi share two notes, so does vi with IV, and V leads straight back to I: the bass walks down a third, down a third, up a step and home.

I–vi–IV–V 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 A

ii–V–I in A major ii–V–i in A minor I–V–vi–IV in A major vi–IV–I–V in A major I–IV–V in A major

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