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Published:
2013-04-05
Updated:
2022-02-19

Learning Ukulele with Curt

Songs Using a Common 1 5 6 4 Chord Progression

There's actually a lot in common between songs when it comes to chord progressions. Here is an every growing list of songs that use the common 1 5 6 4 chord progression. This is a “Full Diatonic” chord progression, with each chord coming from its corresponding major scale. This common progression is called the “Four Chord, Pop Progression.”

Author(s): Curt Sheller Publisher: Curt Sheller Publications Code: UL59-1564

Main Category: Chords Main Instrument: Ukulele

Subjects: Chords

2022-02-19

Songs Using a Common 1 5 6 4 Chord Progression

There's actually a lot in common between songs when it comes to chord progressions. Here is an every growing list of songs that use the common 1 5 6 4 chord progression. This is a “Full Diatonic” chord progression, with each chord coming from its corresponding major scale. This common progression is called the “Four Chord, Pop Progression.”

If the I V VI IV progression where in the key of C Major the chords are: C G Am F. For the key of G Major the chords are: G D Em C.

The following songs use this progression as the foundation for the majority of the song.

Songs where part of the song is using the I V VI IV progression.

  • American Pie
  • The Call - Regina Spektor
  • Say - John Mayer, from the movie The Bucket List
  • The Show - Lenka
  • Over the Rainbow

Here's a web site that has links to videos of many of the songs on this list.

As you can see you can learn quite a few songs by simply learning common chord progressions in all 15 keys. Especially the common keys of C, G, D, E, A. And on ukulele F and Bb are also common.

All 15 Keys ( 1 5 6 4 )

  • | C | G/B* | Am | F |

Sharp Keys

The links will take you a lessons the the Key/Key Signature for the key.

  • | G | D/F# | Em | C |
  • | D | A/C# | Bm | G |
  • | A | E/G# | F#m | D |
  • | E | B/D# | C#m | A |
  • | B | F#/A# | G#m | E |
  • | F# | C#/E# | D#m | B |
  • | C# | G#/B# | A#m | F# |

Flat Keys

The links will take you a lessons the the Key/Key Signature for the key.

  • | F | C/E | Dm | Bb |
  • | Bb | F/A# | Gm | Eb |
  • | Eb | Bb/D | Gm | Ab |
  • | Ab | Eb/G | Fm | Db |
  • | Db | Ab/C | Bbm | Gb |
  • | Gb | Db/F | Ebm | Cb |
  • | Cb | Gb/Bb | Abm | Fb |

Slash Chords

* Slash Chords - A slash chord is an indication that a chord voicing with the note after the slash should be voiced with the that note as the lowest note in the bass . In the case of this common 1 5 6 4 progression is creates a descending bass line. On ukulele unless you using a low string four tuning slash chord are commonly ignored and the fundamental chord, the name before the slash is played.