I–vi–IV–V in C Major — Chords & Free MIDI

I–vi–IV–V is the 50s doo-wop changes. Written out in C Major — no sharps or flats — it becomes C – Am – F – G. The numerals are what stays the same from key to key: I–vi–IV–V is the same set of relationships whether it lands on C or on any of the other eleven keys, which is why songwriters think in numerals and only pick a key afterwards.

I–vi–IV–V in C Major, chord by chord

The same progression, related keys

Numerals travel: I–vi–IV–V is the same set of relationships in any key, so if C Major sits wrong for a singer, move it and the shape survives.

• A Minor scale — relative minor — the same seven notes, resolving to a different home
• C Minor scale — parallel minor — the same tonic, a different third

How it works

Pick a key, a scale, and one of the classic progressions, and this tool writes the chords into a MIDI file you can drop straight onto an instrument track in any DAW. Each roman numeral is voiced as a triad built from the scale — enable 7th chords for a jazzier sound, or arpeggiate to spread each chord into eighth notes. Press play preview to hear the progression before downloading. Here the tool arrives preset to I–vi–IV–V in C Major, so the file you download voices C – Am – F – G exactly as shown above.

Popular progressions included

• I – V – vi – IV — the "four chords" behind countless pop hits.
• ii – V – I — the fundamental jazz turnaround.
• The 12-bar blues — the backbone of blues, rock and roll, and early jazz.
• The Andalusian cadence, the 50s doo-wop changes, the J-pop royal road, and more.

Because every progression is spelled from the key you choose, moving I–vi–IV–V out of C Major is one dropdown away — but in C Major itself you get C, Am, F, G, chords that sit comfortably under most vocal ranges and lead instruments.

Progressions are a starting point — if you want full arrangements with melodies, basslines, and drums written around C – Am – F – G, open the MIDI Maker studio and generate a complete track.

I–vi–IV–V in every key

• I–vi–IV–V in Db Major
• I–vi–IV–V in D Major
• I–vi–IV–V in Eb Major
• I–vi–IV–V in E Major
• I–vi–IV–V in F Major
• I–vi–IV–V in Gb Major
• I–vi–IV–V in G Major
• I–vi–IV–V in Ab Major
• I–vi–IV–V in A Major
• I–vi–IV–V in Bb Major
• I–vi–IV–V in B Major

More progressions in C Major

• I–V–vi–IV in C Major
• vi–IV–I–V in C Major
• I–IV–V–IV in C Major
• ii–V–I in C Major
• I–vi–ii–V in C Major
• i–VII–VI–V in C Minor
• i–VI–III–VII in C Minor
• i–iv–VII–III in C Minor
• I–V–IV–IV in C Major
• IV–V–iii–vi in C Major
• 12-Bar Blues in C Major

Or head back to the chord progression tool to build any combination yourself.

Keep building: scales, drums and more

• C Major scale MIDI
• C Major Pentatonic scale MIDI
• House drum MIDI
• Techno drum MIDI
• Boom Bap Hip-Hop drum MIDI
• Trap drum MIDI

Frequently asked questions

What chords are in the I–vi–IV–V progression in C Major?

In C Major, I–vi–IV–V is C – Am – F – G. Those are built from the c major scale — C, D, E, F, G, A, B — stacking thirds on each numeral's degree.

What notes make up each chord?

C is C, E, G; Am is A, C, E; F is F, A, C; G is G, B, D.

Can I get 7th chords or arpeggios instead of block triads?

Yes — enable "7th chords" to stack a diatonic seventh on every chord, or "Arpeggiate" to spread each chord into eighth notes before downloading.

Is this chord progression MIDI free for commercial use?

Yes — the download is free, requires no sign-up, and chord progressions themselves are not copyrightable, so you can use the MIDI in any personal or commercial production.