Today at the 3 Chord Club we’ll learn three songs that utilize one of my favorite chord progressions, the I-IV-V (V7)-I. The most direct route to learning musical structure is to introduce your ears to the chord progressions used to create popular music.  The I-IV-V (V7)-I chord progression can use either the Major form of the V (Five Chord) or the V7 (Five-Seven or Dominant 7) form depending on if you want to add in some tension.

At the 3 Chord Club we choose three songs from a specific artist, label or genre of music that we’ll learn by ear. All the songs will contain three chords or less (with the exception of Bonus Chord songs)! Since you know the song has only one to three chords, try to figure out the changes, or chord progression by ear while watching the YouTube video. Here’s a hint, most of the time the chords will be the I-IV & V or V7 chords. In the Key of C, that’s C-F-G or G7. Remember, the sound examples may be in various keys. As an added bonus, try to figure out the key of the recording.

Da Do Ron Ron-The Crystals  
(Hint: B Part I-IV-I-V-I)

Jamaica Farewell -Harry Belafonte
(Hint: A & B the same)

Tie Me Kangaroo Down-Rolf Harris
(Hint: A & B the same)

Songs presented are for educational purposes only and used under the fair use doctrine of United States copyright law.