Video Guitar Lesson – The “Oldies” Chord Progression [8.19]

  • Thursday, August 19, 2010, 11:39
  • 13,400 views
  • 12 comments

Some chord progressions you have heard for years and will continue to hear years from now. Such is the case with the venerable I-vi-IV-V progression (read “1-6-4-5″ progression). I call this the “Oldies Progression” because so many classic songs from the 1950′s used these changes.

While the term ‘oldies progression’ might help you memorize these chord changes you will hear this progression used by groups from ranging from Pearl Jam to Green Day, from the Village People to the Black Eyed Peas!

Learn the progression in five keys (the keys of C, G, D, A and E major) in this video guitar lesson:

Here are the chord changes for all five keys for you to practice with. The tab includes a secondary arpeggio picking guitar part that nicely compliments the 6/8 strumming pattern.

Key of C
50s Rock Guitar Chord Progression

Key of G
50s Rock Guitar Chord Progression

Key of D
50s Rock Guitar Key of D (I-vi-IV-V)

Key of A
50s Rock Guitar Chord Progression - Key of A

Key of E
50s Rock Guitar - Key of E

I think I will post guitar jam tracks to these progression shortly for you to practice with. Until then, practice hard and have fun!

Our daily guitar lessons feature on-screen tab and diagrams and are completely FREE.

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12 Comments on “Video Guitar Lesson – The “Oldies” Chord Progression [8.19]”

  • Joanna wrote on 19 August, 2010, 12:05

    Nice and easy ;) But to someone like me, who already starts playing ist’s really good fingers training. Thank you!
  • Dave wrote on 19 August, 2010, 19:14

    Classic progression. Its useful to show the progression in bar chords too.
  • Jesus wrote on 20 August, 2010, 6:37

    Very good bro, I always used the c major progression for my oldies and it never hit me to use the other four. Thanks alot bro for the othr foue I surely will use them.
  • Darrel wrote on 20 August, 2010, 7:35

    Very helpful and informative.
    Thanks much.
  • Jim wrote on 21 August, 2010, 4:34

    Awesome! I play Bass and sing in church, trying to learn to play the guitar for 66 years :-) Your site is the Greatest.
  • federico wrote on 25 August, 2010, 16:34

    hi,i have to say you are great for make videos like this but the thing is that i am searching for something more hard because i can`t be better than of what i am now and i don`t know why,i sorry to talk about this for this place but i don`t know how to talk whit you of another place -.- i can play all the songs of system of a down and all of slipknot and all the other groups to me are less complicated to play than that if someone can recomend me something more hard then tell me please maybe i am stock in those groups and i am missing something and please give me a way to be better than of what i am now if you can i apreciate this
  • Rui wrote on 5 September, 2010, 3:47

    nice and easy.
    thanks dude
  • John The Guitar lessons Review Guy wrote on 22 September, 2010, 15:43

    I don’t think there is any chord progression that reminds me more of the 50s. Well done video and great site. Thanks.
  • gitar akoru wrote on 26 October, 2010, 4:19

    nice and easy thanks..
  • Linda wrote on 31 October, 2010, 12:05

    Thanks. Have been taking in-person and online guitar lessons for two years. These video lessons are very helpful!
  • Cathy Johnston wrote on 31 October, 2011, 10:17

    You rock! (I need to turn Emma on to your site. Did I tell you she plays too?)
  • meseret mihreteab wrote on 5 January, 2012, 11:28

    thanks alot for your interest .this gonna change me alot so am very happy of ur lesson.

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