Mixolydian I-v-IV Chord Progression
The Mixolydian I-v-IV is the chord progression I-v-IV. In the key of C major it is C Gm F, and in the Nashville Number System it is written 1 5m 4.
Chords from outside the key of C major: Gm.
Jump to the chords and audio in C, G, D, A and E
Why it works
The minor v contains the flat seventh, the colour note of Mixolydian, so it replaces the usual major V. The bass then steps down to IV and resolves plagally to I. It sounds gently floating and major without any leading tone.
Songs that use it
These are the chords as played in each song, in the song's own key.
| Song | Artist | Section | Chords | Key |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speed of Sound | Coldplay | verse | A Em D | A Mixolydian |
| Chicago | Sufjan Stevens | intro | D Am G | D Mixolydian |
Mixolydian I-v-IV Chord Progression: 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.
More progressions like this one
- I-bVII-IV: C Bb F
- I-II-IV-I: C D F C
- I-V-bVII-IV: C G Bb F
- I-bIII-bVII-IV: C Eb Bb 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 Mixolydian I-v-IV in each key?
In C major: C Gm F. In G major: G Dm C. In D major: D Am G. In A major: A Em D. In E major: E Bm A.
Which songs use the Mixolydian I-v-IV?
Songs that use it include Speed of Sound by Coldplay, Chicago by Sufjan Stevens.
