Lesson Goal: To quickly internalize the 1-flat 7-4-1 Chord Progression (I-bVII-IV-I) in all keys… by ear, intellect, eye, and muscle…
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Prerequisites
Basic music reading… LOVE of music… and the discipline to study and practice.
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Character of the 1-flat 7-4-1 Chord Progression
The 1-flat 7-4-1 chord progression (I-bVII-IV-I) is based on three major triads (but sometimes power chords) and screams Mixolydian Tonality. The simplicity of the chords and forward harmonic drive provide a solid harmonic foundation for rock, pop, and folk and everything from ballads to anthems to extended jams. You will hear and feel all this in the examples below…
Famous Songs that Use the I-bVII-IV-I Chord Progression
Associating the theory and sound/feelings of this chord progression with familiar songs is a great way to develop your aural awareness. Here are some famous examples of the 1-flat 7-4-1 chord progressions in action.
As you listen, be receptive to the overall vibe of this progression as well as the sound-feelings evoked by each chord. Also notice where each chord is placed with the form. (Hints: The I chord establishes the major-ness and home key (because of the note Mi), the bVII chord creates a bluesy harmonic tension (because of the note Te), the IV chord continues the harmonic tension that craves resolution, and the harmonic tension is released with the return back to the I chord (Amen cadence).
“Taking Care of Business” (Bachman Turner Overdrive)
Key: C (Mixolydian).
Chords: C-Bb-F-C.
In this and all the examples that follow, use your ears to find where each chord fits into the form and rhythm.
“Sweet Home Alabama” (Lynyrd Skynyrd)
Key: D (Mixolydian).
Chords: D-C-G-D.
“Sympathy for the Devil” (The Rolling Stones)
Key: E (Mixolydian).
Chords: E-D-A-E.
“Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting” (Elton John)
The Verses are in the key of G (Mixolydian).
Chords: G-F-C-G (*).
The Chorus is in the key of C (Mixolydian).
Chords: C-Bb-F-C (*).
(*) Notice the extensive use of sus4 and neighbor chords that resolve to the local major triad throughout. Such is standard rock piano vocabulary derived from gospel piano music that you can easily recognize and now know how to internalize by ear, intellect, eye, and muscle.
“With a Little Help from My Friends” (The Beatles)
Key: E (Mixolydian).
Chords: E-D-A-E.
Wait for the Chorus…
“Fortunate Son” (Creedence Clearwater Revival)
Key: G (Mixolydian).
Chords: G-F-C-G.
“Gloria” (Them, featuring Van Morrison)
Key: E (Mixolydian).
Chords: E-D-A-E.
“Keep on Rocking Me Baby” (Steve Miller Band)
Key: B (Mixolydian).
Chords: B-A-E-B.
“Can’t You See?” (Marshall Tucker Band)
Key: D (Mixolydian).
Chords: D-C(*)-G-D.
(*) Notice the tasty substitutions: C/D or D/C for the C chord. Take a moment to internalize these sound-feelings by ear, intellect, eye, and muscle… so that you can incorporate them into your own musical library.
“Love Hurts” (Nazareth)
Key: G Major (with a temporary excursion to G Mixolydian to the short passage of interest)
Chords: F-C-G (Wait for “Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh” at 0:40).
“Can’t Get Enough” (Bad Company)
Key: C (Mixolydian).
Chords: C–Bb-F–C.
“Sweet Child O’ Mine” (Guns N’ Roses)
Key: C# (Mixolydian).
Chords: C#–B–F#–C#.
“Hey Jude” (The Beatles)
Key: The song is in F Major until the Outro (“Na-na-na-na-na”) where it changes tonality to F Mixolydian.
Chords: F-Eb–Bb–F.
“Time Has Come Today” (Chambers Brothers)
Key: D (Mixolydian).
Chords: D-C-G-D.
“Dirty Laundry” (Don Henley)
Key: F (Mixolydian).
Chords: F-Eb-Bb-F.
“Won’t Get Fooled Again” (The Who)
Key: A (Mixolydian).
Chords: A-G-D.
Wait for huge entrance of guitar after synth intro…
“I Trip Through Your Wire” (U2)
Key: G (Mixolydian).
Chords: G-F-C.
“Orinoco Flow (Sail Away)” (Enya)
Key: G (Mixolydian).
Chords: G-F-C.
“Take the Money and Run” (Steve Miller)
Key: G (Mixolydian)
Chords: G-F-C.
“Dear Mr. Fantasy” (Traffic)
Key: A (Mixolydian).
Chords: A-G-D-A.
This is a great example of combining a chord progression with another harmonic device, in this case pedal point.
“Theme from Ghostbusters” (Ray Parker Jr.)
Key: B (Mixolydian).
Chords: B-A-E-B.
“Born This Way” (Lady Gaga)
Key: F# (Mixolydian).
Chords: F#-E-B-F#.
“Thank You” (Led Zeppelin)
Key: D (Mixolydian).
Chords: D-C-G(*).
Do you hear the “sus4 / sus2” ornament played on the D chord and that the G chord is often played in first inversion (G/B)? Now that you know what you’re hearing your can easily internalize these musical patterns by ear, intellect, eye, and muscle.
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The 1-4-flat 7-4 Chord Progression, All Keys
Key of C (Mixolydian)
Say this out loud: “The I-bVII-IV-I chord progression in the key of C is: C-Bb-F-C“
Ear Training Tip: Sing the bass line (Do-Do-Fa-Fa-Te-Te-Fa-Fa).
Key of C Sharp or D Flat (Mixolydian)
Say this out loud: “The I-bVII-IV-I chord progression in the key of C# is: C#-B-F#-C#“
or “The I-bVII-IV-I chord progression in the key of Db is: Db-Cb-Gb-Db“
Key of D (Mixolydian)
Say this out loud: “The I-bVII-IV-I chord progression in the key of D is: D-C-G-D“
Ear Training Tip: Pick one of the chord voices and sing it through the chord changes. For example, the top voice (So-So-La-La-Te-Te-La-La).
Key of E Flat (Mixolydian)
Say this out loud: “The I-bVII-IV-I chord progression in the key of Eb is: Eb-Db-Ab-Eb“
Key of E (Mixolydian)
Say this out loud: “The I-bVII-IV-I chord progression in the key of E is: E-D-A-E“
Key of F (Mixolydian)
Say this out loud: “The I-bVII-IV-I chord progression in the key of F is: F-Eb-Bb-F“
Key of F Sharp (Mixolydian)
Say this out loud: “The I-bVII-IV-I chord progression in the key of F# is: F#-E-B-F#“
Key of G (Mixolydian)
Say this out loud: “The I-bVII-IV-I chord progression in the key of G is: G-F-C-G“
Key of A Flat (Mixolydian)
Say this out loud: “The I-bVII-IV chord progression in the key of Ab is: Ab-Gb-Db-Ab“
Key of A (Mixolydian)
Say this out loud: “The I-bVII-IV-I chord progression in the key of A is: A-G-D-A“
Key of B Flat (Mixolydian)
Say this out loud: “The I-bVII-IV-I chord progression in the key of Bb is: Bb-Ab-Eb-Bb“
Key of B (Mixolydian)
Say this out loud: “The I-bVII-IV-I chord progression in the key of B is: B-A-E-B“
Practice Tracks, All Keys (MP3s)
A simple 4 bar rendition of the 1-flat 7-4-1 chord progression played at various tempos, arranged chromatically ascending in all (Mixolydian) keys…
The benefits of playing along with a click track at various tempos cannot be overstated: slowly at first to have enough time to “think about everything”, then fast enough to be forced to “play without thinking”.
I-bVII-IV-I Chord Progression, All Keys @ 100 bpm…
I-bVII-IV-I Chord Progression, All Keys @ 120 bpm…
I-bVII-IV-I Chord Progression, All Keys @ 140 bpm…
I-bVII-IV-I Chord Progression, All Keys @ 160 bpm…
I-bVII-IV-I Chord Progression, All Keys @ 180 bpm…
I-bVII-IV-I Chord Progression, All Keys @ 200 bpm…
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Pop/Rock Rhythm Tracks
Any interest in play along MP3 Practice Tracks with bass and drums in various styles, keys, and tempos?
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learn more… Pop/Rock Lessons / Chords & Chord Progressions
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