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

E – C♯m – A – B

IE · E G♯ B

viC♯m · C♯ E G♯

IVA · A C♯ E

VB · B D♯ F♯

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

E I · root position

1 · 3 · 5 over E in the bass

C♯m vi · first inversion

♭3 · 5 · 1 over C♯ in the bass

A IV · second inversion

5 · 1 · 3 over A in the bass

B V · first inversion

3 · 5 · 1 over B 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 E

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

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