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

D – Bm – G – A

ID · D F♯ A

viBm · B D F♯

IVG · G B D

VA · A C♯ E

D – Bm – G – A: the doo-wop changes, under “Stand by Me” and a whole decade of ballads. In D 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.

D I · root position

1 · 3 · 5 over D in the bass

Bm vi · first inversion

♭3 · 5 · 1 over B in the bass

G IV · second inversion

5 · 1 · 3 over G in the bass

A V · first inversion

3 · 5 · 1 over A 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 D

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

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