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Learning Ukulele with Curt
Three Chord Progressions
Three-chord tunes, though, are more common, since a melody may then dwell on any note of the scale. Often the chords may be selected to fit a pre-conceived melody, but just as often it is the progression itself that gives rise to the melody.
Author(s): Curt Sheller Publisher: Curt Sheller Publications Code: UL59f
Main Category: Chords Main Instrument: Any
Categories: Chords, Scales, Melody, Progressions
2026-08-23
Number of Pages: 6
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Three-chord tunes, though, are more common, since a melody may then dwell on any note of the scale. Often the chords may be selected to fit a pre-conceived melody, but just as often it is the progression itself that gives rise to the melody.
The three-chord I — IV — V progression, a particularly popular kind of circle progression, can be placed into a four-bar phrase in several ways that have been put to endless use in popular music. Using the Nashville Numbering System, there are represented as 1 4 5.
- I – IV – V – V ( examples in C: C F G G )
- I – I – IV – V ( C C F G )
- I – V – IV – V ( C G F G )
- I – IV – I – V ( C F C G )
- I – IV – V – IV ( C F G F )
The twelve bar blues and its many variants use an elongated, three-line form of the I – IV – V progression that has also generated countless hit records, including the most significant output of rock and rollers such as Chuck Berry and Little Richard. In its most elementary form (there are many variants) the chords progress as follows:
- I – I – I – I
- IV – IV – I – I
- V – IV – I – I
- wikiwand Three Chord Progressions
More Three Chord Progressions
content below, continue exploring...
More Three Chord Progressions
Songs
There are too many songs to list that only have three chords. Go to any music store and there will be books actually titles Three Chord Songs. but here are a few.
- All Shook Up
- Amazing Grace
- Away In a Manger
- Battle Hymn of the Republic
- Billy Boy
- Blowin’ In the Wind
- Blue Suede Shoes
- Bye, Bye, Love
- Camptown Races
- Chantilly Lace
- Don’t Be Cruel
- Down By the Riverside
- For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow
- Frankie and Johnny
- Goodnight, Ladies
- Hang On Sloopy
- Hail, Hail, the Gang’s All Here
- He’s Got the Whole World
- How Much Is That Doggie...
- Hound Dog
- Jambalaya
- La Cucaracha
- London Bridge
- Marianne
- Mary Had a Little Lamb
- Mexican Hat Dance
- Row, Row, Row Your Boat
- Skip to My Lou
- Three Blind Mice
- Tom Dooley
iRealPro Practice Progressions
Here are a few common harmonic cells, i.e., the chords that show up in basic songs.
You'll find that there a lot of common chord sequences that make of the songs that we all like and have heard many, many times over and over, over the years.
- I (Example in C Major: C)
- I IV (Example in C Major: C F)
- I V (Example in C Major: C G)
- I V7 (Example in C Major: C G7)
- I IV I V (Example in C Major: C F C G)
- I IV I V7 (Example in C Major: C F C G7)
Use iRealPro and several different styles and transpose. What sounds good in one style might not sound good in another style.
iReal Pro - Practice Made Perfect • The essential instrument for every musician. Master your art by practicing with the world's most versatile virtual band, tirelessly accompanying you in any style, tempo or key. With thousands of chord charts in your pocket, you'll always be prepared for the next jam session.
Available for iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Android.
NOTE: - I (Curt, LearningUkulele.com, Learning Ukulele with Curt) Have been using iReal Pro , bought and paid for on several platforms ever since it first came on to music scene. It is a great tool and one I use with all students as well in my daily, personal practice sessions. iReal Pro was made by a very small team of passionate people led by Massimo Biolcati, a jazz musician in NYC who taught himself to code for his first iPhone so that he could build his dream app.
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