’50s Doo-wop · Classics

E · C#m · A · B

I · vi · IV · V in the key of E

Stand By Me, every slow dance since 1958.

Four bars of ’50s doo-wop in the key of E, written I · vi · IV · V and played let it ring over a half-time groove at around 84 beats per minute. The chord shapes are below, and you can hear the whole thing play — and slow it down — without an account.

Chord diagrams for E, C#m, A, B — I · vi · IV · V in E

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What the chords are

This is I · vi · IV · V in the key of E — the degree of each chord is what makes the progression recognisable in any key, so the same four moves transpose anywhere once you know them by number.

E I up at the 5th fret, spanning to the 7th, on 3 strings
C#m vi up at the 4th fret, spanning to the 6th, on 3 strings
A IV up at the 5th fret, spanning to the 6th, on 3 strings
B V up at the 7th fret, spanning to the 9th, on 3 strings

How it should feel

Strum: Let it ring
Groove: Half-time
Tempo: 84 bpm
Key: E
Voicings: Glue

The smallest possible movement between chords. The voices barely leave their seats.

The shapes

Low E on the left, high e on the right. 0 is an open string, × is one you do not play.

Chord	E	A	D	G	B	e
E	×	×	6	×	5	7
C#m	×	×	×	6	5	4
A	×	×	×	6	5	5
B	×	×	9	8	7	×

More Classics

E · B · C#m · A I · V · vi · IV in E — The Anthem

Posted Sep 26, 2026. Part of a growing library of guitar chord progressions.