’50s Doo-wop · Classics

E · C#m · A · B

I · vi · IV · V in the key of Em

Stand By Me, every slow dance since 1958.

Four bars of ’50s doo-wop in the key of Em, 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 Em)

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What the chords are

This is I · vi · IV · V in the key of Em. 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 7th fret, spanning to the 9th, on 3 strings
C#m vi at the 9th fret, on 3 strings
A IV up at the 9th fret, spanning to the 10th, on 3 strings
B V up at the 11th fret, spanning to the 12th, on 3 strings

How it should feel

Strum: Let it ring
Groove: Half-time
Tempo: 84 bpm
Key: Em
Voicings: Sparkle

Small, bright voicings high on the top strings — the second-guitar part.

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	×	×	×	9	9	7
C#m	×	×	×	9	9	9
A	×	×	×	9	10	9
B	×	×	×	11	12	11

More Classics

Posted Oct 28, 2026. Part of a growing library of guitar chord progressions.