The I–IV–iv–I chord progression

Gospel plagal. The minor iv borrowed from the parallel minor melts back to I.

Quick answer

I–IV–iv–I in Eb major is Eb Ab Abm Eb.

Key

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

The minor iv borrowed from the parallel minor melts back to I. In Eb major it's Eb Ab Abm Eb.

You'll find it in Soul and R&B songwriting.

Scales that fit I–IV–iv–I

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

I–IV–iv–I in every key

The I–IV–iv–I progression in all 12 major keys
Key	Chords
C major	C F Fm C
G major	G C Cm G
D major	D G Gm D
A major	A D Dm A
E major	E A Am E
B major	B E Em B
F# major	F# B Bm F#
Db major	Db Gb Gbm Db
Ab major	Ab Db Dbm Ab
Eb major	Eb Ab Abm Eb
Bb major	Bb Eb Ebm Bb
F major	F Bb Bbm F

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Common questions

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

In Eb major the I–IV–iv–I progression is Eb Ab Abm Eb. The pattern is the same in every key; the table above lists all 12.

What scale goes with I–IV–iv–I?

In Eb, the Eb Major (Ionian) fits best. Eb Mixolydian and C Natural minor (Aeolian) add different colors.

Last updated November 14, 2026.