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Rock & punk

Mixolydian rock (I–♭VII–IV) (I – ♭VII – IV – I)

With ♭VII you get the anthem sound of classic rock: major, but with no leading tone, so the cadence feels looser.

Frequently asked questions

What are the chords of the Mixolydian rock (I–♭VII–IV) in C major?

C – B♭ – F – C (I – ♭VII – IV – I).

Which key is easiest on guitar?

With only open chords and no capo: D major, E major, A major. For other keys, the capo column in the table shows where to clamp it.

What do the Roman numerals mean?

The degrees of the key: I = tonic (1st degree), IV = 4th, V = 5th. Upper case is a major chord, lower case minor; ° means diminished, ø half-diminished and ♭ a lowered degree. That's what lets you move the progression to any key.

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Photos: Isak Photography, 42 North, Rachel Loughman, Vitaly Gariev, Isaac Martin / Unsplash