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Classics

Soul Ballad

E · C#m · A · B

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E
I
C#m
vi
A
IV
B
V
Key
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Soul Ballad in E major

Soul Ballad is I · vi · IV · V. In E major that is E, C#m, A, B. Timeless soul ballad form. Heart and Soul, Stand By Me. Loop those chords in order. The same pattern works in any major key.

Songs that use this

  • Every Breath You Take · The Police
  • Unchained Melody · The Righteous Brothers
  • Wonderful World · Sam Cooke
  • Take Me Home Country Roads · John Denver

Why it works

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

Jump to each shape used in this loop.

EC#mAB

Try in other keys

Same Roman numerals; chords transpose with the key.

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

Related progressions

Happy Days - 50sMotownAndalusian CadenceAndalusian Cadence (Major)Canon in D

Frequently asked questions

What is the Soul Ballad ukulele chord progression?

Soul Ballad is the I–vi–IV–V chord loop. In E major that is E, C#m, A, and B. Timeless soul ballad form. Heart and Soul, Stand By Me.

What do the roman numerals mean in Soul Ballad?

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

How do you practice Soul Ballad on ukulele?

Loop E, C#m, A, and B. 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 Soul Ballad progression?

Songs built on Soul Ballad include Every Breath You Take, Unchained Melody, Wonderful World, and Take Me Home Country Roads.

Why do so many songs use the same chords?

Soul Ballad (I–vi–IV–V) is one of the most reused patterns in Classics 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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