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

B – G♯m – E – F♯

IB · B D♯ F♯

viG♯m · G♯ B D♯

IVE · E G♯ B

VF♯ · F♯ A♯ C♯

B – G♯m – E – F♯: the doo-wop changes, under “Stand by Me” and a whole decade of ballads. In B 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.

B I · root position

1 · 3 · 5 over B in the bass

G♯m vi · first inversion

♭3 · 5 · 1 over G♯ in the bass

E IV · second inversion

5 · 1 · 3 over E in the bass

F♯ V · second inversion

5 · 1 · 3 over F♯ 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 B

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

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