5.4 · Simple Diatonic Chord Progressions

Follow the song

Hear a loop and trace its path. Every loop here uses only I, IV, and V. Listen for each chord's role: I is home, IV away from home, V the strongest pull.

Every progression so far

The loops from 5.2 and 5.3, all built from I, IV, and V.

C
G
C

I–V–I. The two-chord loop: leave through V, come back.

C
F
C

I–IV–I. The gentle two-chord loop: leave through IV, come back.

C
G

I–V. The trip stopped on V. Your ear supplies the I.

C
F
G
C

I–IV–V–I. Away through IV, pull through V, land on I.

C
G
F
C

I–V–IV–I. The strongest pull first, then IV steps back to I.

Game · Same or changed?

1 / 5

A loop from this unit is named below. Is that what played, or did one chord change?

Listen first. Then answer.
Out through V · I–V–I
1
2
3

Game · Follow the song: short loops

1 / 3

Listen, then tap the chords in the order you heard them.

Listen first. Then answer.
1
2
3

Game · Follow the song: longer loops

1 / 3

Listen, then tap the chords in the order you heard them.

Listen first. Then answer.
1
2
3
4

Quiz

1 / 3

Which loop is the longer way home?

Score 100% on every quiz and game to complete this lesson.The other four chords →