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I IV V Chord Progression: C Major Banjo Tabs

Exercises

I IV V Chord Progression: C Major Banjo Tablature: One Song, Many Styles

Recomended level: Beginner

Tags: #exercise, #major key, #essentials

In any major key the principal chords are based on the 1st, 4th and 5th scale tones. It's very important to be able to play them and recognize the shapes and sounds. It's even better if you can find those chords at multiple spots on the fret board. The majority of banjo repertoire is played in the key of G major. Learning your most common chords in this key is beyond important and will aid you greatly when learning new tunes.


If you are not familiar with these chord shapes check out Vamping and Closed Position Chords on Banjo to learn the common banjo chord shapes.


In music it's common to use roman numerals to represent the chords formed from the scale tones. Uppercase is used for major chords, and lower case is used for minor chords. So a 1, 4, 5 chord progression is often represented as I IV V.


There are several different tablatures here that will help you get very familiar with the I IV V progression in the key of G. A lot of the I IV V patterns here use only fretted notes. These are also referred to as closed. When you find a closed patter in will be reusable in other keys, you'll just have different starting and ending frets, but the relation between the shapes and distances between will remain the same.

Learn how to play I IV V Chord Progression: C Major on Banjo with this selection of tablatures:

  • Banjo I IV V Chord Progression: C Major 1 Shape Patterns

    1 Shape Patterns

    • Difficulty
    • Key
      C
    • Tempo
      60 bpm
    • Tuning
      gDGBD

    The principal, or most important, chords in the key of C major are C, F & G. They are rooted on the 1st 4th and 5th scale tones, which are always the principal, or most important, c...

    Learn
  • Banjo I IV V Chord Progression: C Major 2 Shape Patterns

    2 Shape Patterns

    • Difficulty
    • Key
      C
    • Tempo
      60 bpm
    • Tuning
      gDGBD

    Begin by strumming each chord with your thumb pick. Play these slow and listen to everything! Don't be in a rush to get to the next chord. Slow down. Smell the roses. In this ...

    Learn
  • Banjo I IV V Chord Progression: C Major 3 Shape Patterns

    3 Shape Patterns

    • Difficulty
    • Key
      G
    • Tempo
      60 bpm
    • Tuning
      gDGBD

    Begin by strumming each chord with your thumb pick. Play these slow and listen to everything! Don't be in a rush to get to the next chord. Slow down. Smell the roses. In this ...

    Learn