I7-IV7 Vamp
The I7-IV7 vamp is the chord progression I7-IV7. In the key of C major it is C7 F7, and in the Nashville Number System it is written 1(7) 4(7).
It is also known as funk two-chord.
Chords from outside the key of C major: C7, F7.
Jump to the chords and audio in C, G, D, A and E
Why it works
Both chords are dominant sevenths, so nothing is fully resolved and the groove carries the song. The flat seventh of I comes from Mixolydian, while the flat seventh of IV is a blues colour outside the key. Note that Wikipedia says two-chord funk vamps often use a minor seventh and a dominant, as in i7-IV7.
Songs that use it
These are the chords as played in each song, in the song's own key.
| Song | Artist | Section | Chords | Key |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| It's Your Thing | The Isley Brothers | intro | F Bb F | F major |
| Feelin' Alright | Joe Cocker | verse and chorus | C7 F7 | C major |
I7-IV7 Vamp: 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.
Same loop, different starting chord
- I-IV: C F
- Plagal cadence: F C
More progressions like this one
- One-chord funk vamp: C7
- Just the Two of Us progression: Fmaj7 E7 Am7 Gm7 C7
- 7-3-6 progression: Bm7b5 E7 Am
- I-iii-IV walk-up: C Em F
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 I7-IV7 vamp in each key?
In C major: C7 F7. In G major: G7 C7. In D major: D7 G7. In A major: A7 D7. In E major: E7 A7.
Which songs use the I7-IV7 vamp?
Songs that use it include It's Your Thing by The Isley Brothers, Feelin' Alright by Joe Cocker.
