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Island

Hawaiian Vamp

A · D · E · A

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A
I
D
IV
E
V
A
I
Key
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Hawaiian Vamp in A major

Hawaiian Vamp is I · IV · V · I. In A major that is A, D, E. The quintessential Hawaiian turnaround. Warm and sunny. Loop those chords in order. The same pattern works in any major key.

Songs that use this

  • Tiny Bubbles · Don Ho
  • Aloha Oe · Queen Liliʻuokalani

Why it works

In A major this loop is A, D, E (I · IV · V · I). 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 · CD major → D · G · A · DE major → E · A · B · EF major → F · Bb · C · FG major → G · C · D · GA major → A · D · E · AB major → B · E · F# · B

Related progressions

Slack KeyHulaIsland BreezeIsland StrumIsland Lullaby

Frequently asked questions

What is the Hawaiian Vamp ukulele chord progression?

Hawaiian Vamp is the I–IV–V–I chord loop. In A major that is A, D, and E. The quintessential Hawaiian turnaround. Warm and sunny.

What do the roman numerals mean in Hawaiian Vamp?

Roman numerals mark each chord's role in the key, not fixed chord names. Uppercase is major, lowercase is minor. Hawaiian Vamp uses I–IV–V–I. 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 Hawaiian Vamp 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 Hawaiian Vamp progression?

Songs built on Hawaiian Vamp include Tiny Bubbles, and Aloha Oe.

Why do so many songs use the same chords?

Hawaiian Vamp (I–IV–V–I) is one of the most reused patterns in Island and beyond. Writers come back to it because the roles are strong: home, departure, pull, and contrast. It supports almost any melody and still feels complete when you loop it. Same functions, different songs.

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