Chord progressions
The I–V–vi–IV chord progression
I–V–vi–IV is the four-chord progression behind a huge number of pop songs: the home chord, the chord a fifth up, the minor chord on the sixth note, and the chord on the fourth. In C major it is C – G – Am – F.
Hear it, then play it
Play each chord in turn: press all of its notes, in any order and any octave, before moving on. The chords are in C major.
Why it works
It uses the three major chords of the key (I, IV and V) plus its most common minor chord (vi). The bass moves in strong steps, the minor chord adds a moment of shade, and IV leads naturally back to I when the loop starts again.
Songs that use it
"Let It Be" by The Beatles, "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey and "With or Without You" by U2 are all built on I–V–vi–IV. Start the same loop on vi and you get vi–IV–I–V, the same four chords with a darker feel.