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

G – Em – C – D

IG · G B D

viEm · E G B

IVC · C E G

VD · D F♯ A

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

G I · root position

1 · 3 · 5 over G in the bass

Em vi · first inversion

♭3 · 5 · 1 over E in the bass

C IV · second inversion

5 · 1 · 3 over C in the bass

D V · second inversion

5 · 1 · 3 over D 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 G

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

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