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Folk & Country

Bluegrass Run

A · D · E · E

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A
I
D
IV
E
V
E
V
Key
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Bluegrass Run in A major

Bluegrass Run is I · IV · V · V. In A major that is A, D, E. Fast flatpicking energy. Keep your fingers moving. Loop those chords in order. The same pattern works in any major key.

Songs that use this

  • Old Joe Clark · Traditional
  • Tom Dooley · The Kingston Trio

Why it works

In A major this loop is A, D, E (I · IV · V · V). I is the home chord. V pulls away from home and wants to resolve. IV moves the song forward without leaving the key. Play the chords in order and the pattern is easy to hear on ukulele.

Chords in A major

Jump to each shape used in this loop.

ADE

Try in other keys

Same Roman numerals; chords transpose with the key.

C major → C · F · G · GD major → D · G · A · AE major → E · A · B · BF major → F · Bb · C · CG major → G · C · D · DA major → A · D · E · EB major → B · E · F# · F#

Related progressions

Sweet 'n CheerfulCountry RoadsCountry WaltzFreight TrainFolk Two-Chord

Frequently asked questions

What is the Bluegrass Run ukulele chord progression?

Bluegrass Run is the I–IV–V–V chord loop. In A major that is A, D, and E. Fast flatpicking energy. Keep your fingers moving.

What do the roman numerals mean in Bluegrass Run?

Roman numerals mark each chord's role in the key, not fixed chord names. Uppercase is major, lowercase is minor. Bluegrass Run uses I–IV–V–V. Change the key and the roles stay; the chord names move with it. In A major you play A, D, E.

How do you practice Bluegrass Run on ukulele?

Loop A, D, and E. Change on the first beat of each bar and keep the strum steady. If one change is hard, practice that pair slowly, then play the full loop again.

What songs use the Bluegrass Run progression?

Songs built on Bluegrass Run include Old Joe Clark, and Tom Dooley.

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