Authentic cadence (I–IV–V–I) (I – IV – V – I)

Tonic, subdominant, dominant, tonic: the basic cycle of functional harmony and the first thing every harmony class teaches.

In C major

IC IVF VG IC

Open in the generator (rhythm, transpose, MIDI) →

In all 12 keys

Mode: major. The capo column shows the fret where most chords become easy open shapes.

Key	Chords	Capo
C major	C – F – G – C	3.
D♭ major	D♭ – G♭ – A♭ – D♭	4.
D major	D – G – A – D	–
E♭ major	E♭ – A♭ – B♭ – E♭	1.
E major	E – A – B – E	2.
F major	F – B♭ – C – F	3.
F♯ major	F♯ – B – C♯ – F♯	4.
G major	G – C – D – G	–
A♭ major	A♭ – D♭ – E♭ – A♭	1.
A major	A – D – E – A	–
B♭ major	B♭ – E♭ – F – B♭	1.
B major	B – E – F♯ – B	2.

Similar progressions

Frequently asked questions

What are the chords of the Authentic cadence (I–IV–V–I) in C major?

C – F – G – C (I – IV – V – I).

Which key is easiest on guitar?

With only open chords and no capo: D major, G 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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