The I–bVII–IV–I chord progression

Mixolydian rock. Swagger. The flat seven gives classic rock its bite.

Quick answer

I–bVII–IV–I in A major is A G D A.

Key

What the I–bVII–IV–I progression sounds like

Swagger. The flat seven gives classic rock its bite. In A major it's A G D A.

Heard in: Sweet Home Alabama uses the related I bVII IV (Lynyrd Skynyrd).

You'll find it in Rock songwriting.

Scales that fit I–bVII–IV–I

Over this progression in A, the best-fitting scales are A Mixolydian, A Major (Ionian), C# Locrian. Put your own chords into the scale finder to see more.

I–bVII–IV–I in every key

The I–bVII–IV–I progression in all 12 major keys
Key	Chords
C major	C Bb F C
G major	G F C G
D major	D C G D
A major	A G D A
E major	E D A E
B major	B A E B
F# major	F# E B F#
Db major	Db Cb Gb Db
Ab major	Ab Gb Db Ab
Eb major	Eb Db Ab Eb
Bb major	Bb Ab Eb Bb
F major	F Eb Bb F

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Common questions

What are the chords in the I–bVII–IV–I progression?

In A major the I–bVII–IV–I progression is A G D A. The pattern is the same in every key; the table above lists all 12.

What scale goes with I–bVII–IV–I?

In A, the A Mixolydian fits best. A Major (Ionian) and C# Locrian add different colors.

Last updated November 14, 2026.