I–vi–IV–V progression in B major
The I–vi–IV–V chord progression in B major is a nostalgic and warm sequence that uses B – G♯m – E – F♯. It's one of the cornerstone harmonic patterns of R&B and Soul - instantly familiar to listeners and effortless to play once you understand its structure.
- IB
- viG♯m
- IVE
- VF♯
Chords in this progression
One card per bar, with the shape you actually play it in. Switch between keys and guitar above; every chord links to its own page.
This progression has a nostalgic and warm character. It works great for r&b and soul songs, but you'll also hear it across countless adjacent styles. Try it with steady eighth-note strumming, broken arpeggios or a four-on-the-floor rhythm to instantly change the feel.
- Roman numeral
- I – vi – IV – V
- Chord
- B · G♯m · E · F♯
- Key
- B major
- Bars
- 4
- Mood
- Nostalgic
- Genre
- R&B and Soul
Hear this progression
Why these chords
The numerals count degrees of the key. Lit below are the ones this loop uses, out of the seven B major offers.
- IB
- iiC♯m
- iiiD♯m
- IVE
- VF♯
- viG♯m
- vii°A♯°
What gives it the pull
In B major, the I–vi–IV–V progression places each chord on a specific scale degree. Roman numerals describe how the chords function regardless of the key you're in, while the actual chord symbols (B – G♯m – E – F♯) tell you exactly what to play on guitar, piano or any other instrument.
What the numerals mean
Each Roman numeral represents a chord built on a degree of the B major scale. Uppercase numerals (I, IV, V) are major chords; lowercase (ii, iii, vi) are minor; ° marks a diminished chord; ♭ in front of a numeral lowers the root by a half step (e.g. ♭VII).
Variations and substitutions
Same four chords, different order — and a different feeling. The linked ones are their own pages in this key.
- I–vi–IV–VSame loop, new starting bar
The identical harmony, begun somewhere else in the cycle. Nothing changes but which chord feels like home.
- I–V–vi–IVSame chords, new order
The same chords rearranged, so the loop resolves somewhere else. It leans forward or settles depending on what lands last.
- vi–IV–I–VSame chords, new order
The same chords rearranged, so the loop resolves somewhere else. It leans forward or settles depending on what lands last.
- Add sevenths
Extend each chord to a seventh and the loop moves from pop toward soul and jazz without changing a single root.
- Slip a chord in
Add a passing degree before the turnaround to delay it by a bar — common in worship and stadium choruses.
Practice tips
- Loop it before you leave it
Play the 4 bars twenty times without stopping, around 70 BPM. The point is the turnover back to the top, and you only feel that on the repeat.
- Keep the top note still
Find one note that belongs to most of the chords and hold it across all of them. That is why singers can sit on one pitch through a whole loop.
- Move the smallest distance
Voice each change so at most two notes move — F♯ back to B is the one to get smooth. On guitar keep the top two strings ringing; on keys shift one finger at a time.
- Then break it
Once it is automatic, start the loop on G♯m instead. Same chords, completely different emotional weight.
Modulate from here
Closely related keys you can pivot to without losing the listener — one step on the circle of fifths each direction, plus the relative minor/major and the parallel mode.
Questions people ask
- What chords are in the I–vi–IV–V progression in B major?
- The I–vi–IV–V progression in B major uses these chords: B – G♯m – E – F♯. Each chord corresponds to a specific scale degree, which is why the same Roman numerals can be transposed to any key.
- What tempo and time signature work best for this progression?
- I–vi–IV–V works in a wide tempo range - typically 70–110 BPM in 4/4. Slower tempos give a ballad feel; faster ones make it feel like an upbeat r&b and soul track.
- Why is this progression so popular?
- I–vi–IV–V packs strong harmonic motion into a short loop. It moves through tonic, predominant and dominant functions with a satisfying resolution, which makes it instantly memorable in R&B and Soul and many other styles.
- Can I use the same chords in a different key?
- Yes - Roman numerals like I–vi–IV–V are key-independent. To play it in another key, just take the I, IV, V (and so on) chords of that key. Browse our progression pages in every root to see the chord names already worked out for you.