I-iii-IV Walk-Up
The I-iii-IV walk-up is the chord progression I-iii-IV. In the key of C major it is C Em F, and in the Nashville Number System it is written 1 3m 4.
It is also known as gospel walk-up.
Jump to the chords and audio in C, G, D, A and E
Why it works
The bass climbs from the first degree through the third to the fourth, while iii keeps the harmony close to I. All chords are diatonic to the major scale, and the rising line gives a warm, hymn-like lift towards IV.
Songs that use it
These are the chords as played in each song, in the song's own key.
| Song | Artist | Section | Chords | Key |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What a Wonderful World | Louis Armstrong | verse opening | C Em F Em | F major |
| The Weight | The Band | verse | A C#m D A (plays I-iii-IV-I) | A major |
| Use Somebody | Kings of Leon | verse and chorus | C Em F C (plays I-iii-IV-I) | C major |
| Come On Eileen | Dexys Midnight Runners | verse | C Em F C (plays I-iii-IV-I) | C major |
I-iii-IV Walk-Up: Chords and Audio in C, G, D, A and E
Press play to hear each key. The diagrams show the shapes used in the audio, and every chord links to its full page.
Longer progressions that contain it
- I-iii-IV-V: C Em F G
More progressions like this one
- I-I7-IV-iv minor plagal: C C7 F Fm
- I7-IV7 vamp: C7 F7
- One-chord funk vamp: C7
- Just the Two of Us progression: Fmaj7 E7 Am7 Gm7 C7
All guitar chord progressions →
Created by
Giancarlo is a musician (teaching guitar since 2000), software engineer, AI consultant and published researcher
FAQ
What are the chords of the I-iii-IV walk-up in each key?
In C major: C Em F. In G major: G Bm C. In D major: D F#m G. In A major: A C#m D. In E major: E G#m A.
Which songs use the I-iii-IV walk-up?
Songs that use it include What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong, The Weight by The Band, Use Somebody by Kings of Leon.
