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Island

Island Serenade

A · F#m · Bm · E

A
I
F#m
vi
Bm
ii
E
V
Key
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Island Serenade in A major

Island Serenade is I · vi · ii · V. In A major that is A, F#m, Bm, E. A romantic island serenade with circle-of-fifths movement. Loop those chords in order. The same pattern works in any major key.

Songs that use this

  • Island in the Sun · Weezer
  • Long Ago and Far Away · Jerome Kern

Why it works

In A major this loop is A, F#m, Bm, E (I · vi · ii · V). I is the home chord. V pulls away from home and wants to resolve. vi adds a minor color. 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.

AF#mBmE

Try in other keys

Same Roman numerals; chords transpose with the key.

C major → C · Am · Dm · GD major → D · Bm · Em · AE major → E · C#m · F#m · BF major → F · Dm · Gm · CG major → G · Em · Am · DA major → A · F#m · Bm · EB major → B · G#m · C#m · F#

Related progressions

Hawaiian VampSlack KeyHulaIsland BreezeIsland Strum

Frequently asked questions

What is the Island Serenade ukulele chord progression?

Island Serenade is the I–vi–ii–V chord loop. In A major that is A, F#m, Bm, and E. A romantic island serenade with circle-of-fifths movement.

What do the roman numerals mean in Island Serenade?

Roman numerals mark each chord's role in the key, not fixed chord names. Uppercase is major, lowercase is minor. Island Serenade uses I–vi–ii–V. Change the key and the roles stay; the chord names move with it. In A major you play A, F#m, Bm, E.

How do you practice Island Serenade on ukulele?

Loop A, F#m, Bm, 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 Island Serenade progression?

Songs built on Island Serenade include Island in the Sun, and Long Ago and Far Away.

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