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

F – Dm – B♭ – C

IF · F A C

viDm · D F A

IVB♭ · B♭ D F

VC · C E G

F – Dm – B♭ – C: the doo-wop changes, under “Stand by Me” and a whole decade of ballads. In F 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.

F I · root position

1 · 3 · 5 over F in the bass

Dm vi · first inversion

♭3 · 5 · 1 over D in the bass

B♭ IV · second inversion

5 · 1 · 3 over B♭ in the bass

C V · second inversion

5 · 1 · 3 over C 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 F

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

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