Puff Schema with Major III (I III7 IV)
The Puff schema with major III is the chord progression I-III7-IV. In the key of C major it is C E7 F, and in the Nashville Number System it is written 1 3(7) 4.
Chords from outside the key of C major: E7.
Jump to the chords and audio in C, G, D, A and E
Why it works
This is the puff schema I-iii-IV with the third of the middle chord raised, which makes a chromatic inner line, 5 to sharp 5 to 6. The III7 sounds like V of vi, so when it moves to IV it feels like a small deceptive resolution. Open Music Theory writes it I-III#-IV, and the seventh is an optional colour.
Songs that use it
These are the chords as played in each song, in the song's own key.
| Song | Artist | Section | Chords | Key |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Creep | Radiohead | whole song | G B C | G major |
| Imagine | John Lennon | chorus | C E7 F | C major |
| Space Oddity | David Bowie | verse | C E7 F | C major |
| The Air That I Breathe | The Hollies | verse | B D#7 E | B major |
| Make You Feel My Love | Adele | bridge | Bb D7 Eb | Bb major |
Puff Schema with Major III: 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
- Creep progression: C E F Fm
More progressions like this one
- Minor plagal cadence: Fm C
- Chromatic mediant I-bIII: C Eb
- Chromatic mediant I-III: C E
- Major line cliche: C Cmaj7 C7 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 Puff schema with major III in each key?
In C major: C E7 F. In G major: G B7 C. In D major: D F#7 G. In A major: A C#7 D. In E major: E G#7 A.
Which songs use the Puff schema with major III?
Songs that use it include Creep by Radiohead, Imagine by John Lennon, Space Oddity by David Bowie.
