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Progression lesson

C F G C triad lesson for I IV V movement.

Use C F G C to make the most familiar rock and blues movement feel connected across nearby triad shapes.

C F G C triad lesson shown as a Guitar Triad Trainer lesson card.
C -> F -> G -> C is the lesson loop. Keep the full progression visible and move through nearby triad shapes.
Progression C -> F -> G -> C
Roman numerals I IV V I
Starting tempo 118 BPM

The loop

Step 1 C Step 2 F Step 3 G Step 4 C

Six patterns

Play this progression three ways on G-B-E and three ways on D-G-B.

Each route starts from a different inversion, then follows the closest connected triad shapes through the same progression.

G-B-E patterns

G-B-E

Root-position start

Recorded from the app: G-B-E root-position start.

Start from the root on this string set, then let the planner choose the closest next shape.

  1. C G5 R | B5 3 | E3 5 root
  2. F G5 5 | B6 R | E5 3 2nd inv.
  3. G G4 3 | B3 5 | E3 R 1st inv.
  4. C G5 R | B5 3 | E3 5 root
G-B-E

First-inversion start

Recorded from the app: G-B-E first-inversion start.

Start from the third in the bass of this three-string set, then keep the next shapes nearby.

  1. C G9 3 | B8 5 | E8 R 1st inv.
  2. F G10 R | B10 3 | E8 5 root
  3. G G7 5 | B8 R | E7 3 2nd inv.
  4. C G9 3 | B8 5 | E8 R 1st inv.
G-B-E

Second-inversion start

Recorded from the app: G-B-E second-inversion start.

Start from the fifth in the bass of this three-string set, then follow the closest connected route.

  1. C G0 5 | B1 R | E0 3 2nd inv.
  2. F G2 3 | B1 5 | E1 R 1st inv.
  3. G G4 3 | B3 5 | E3 R 1st inv.
  4. C G0 5 | B1 R | E0 3 2nd inv.

D-G-B patterns

D-G-B

Root-position start

Recorded from the app: D-G-B root-position start.

Start from the root on this string set, then let the planner choose the closest next shape.

  1. C D10 R | G9 3 | B8 5 root
  2. F D10 5 | G10 R | B10 3 2nd inv.
  3. G D9 3 | G7 5 | B8 R 1st inv.
  4. C D10 R | G9 3 | B8 5 root
D-G-B

First-inversion start

Recorded from the app: D-G-B first-inversion start.

Start from the third in the bass of this three-string set, then keep the next shapes nearby.

  1. C D2 3 | G0 5 | B1 R 1st inv.
  2. F D3 R | G2 3 | B1 5 root
  3. G D0 5 | G0 R | B0 3 2nd inv.
  4. C D2 3 | G0 5 | B1 R 1st inv.
D-G-B

Second-inversion start

Recorded from the app: D-G-B second-inversion start.

Start from the fifth in the bass of this three-string set, then follow the closest connected route.

  1. C D5 5 | G5 R | B5 3 2nd inv.
  2. F D7 3 | G5 5 | B6 R 1st inv.
  3. G D5 R | G4 3 | B3 5 root
  4. C D5 5 | G5 R | B5 3 2nd inv.

Why this progression works

C states the home base, F opens the sound, G adds the push, and C lands it again. It is simple enough to repeat for a long time, which makes it ideal for building automatic triad movement.

What to practice

Keep the loop punchy and practical. You are training the hand to find I, IV, and V without hunting.

  1. Start with C in one small fret window.
  2. Move to the nearest F triad and notice how little the hand needs to travel.
  3. Find G as the push chord, then aim back toward C.
  4. Repeat the same route on the next string set.

Workout settings

  • Strings: 3-2-1, then 4-3-2
  • Tempo: 90 to 118 BPM
  • Goal: make I IV V feel automatic in more than one position
Full progression strip in Guitar Triad Trainer.
The full loop stays visible while current and next shapes are highlighted.
Nearest triad shape on the Guitar Triad Trainer fretboard.
Nearest-shape practice keeps the movement musical and playable.

Good search intents for this lesson

  • C F G guitar
  • I IV V guitar
  • guitar triad lesson
  • rock chord progression guitar

Practice C -> F -> G -> C in time.

Guitar Triad Trainer keeps the progression visible, highlights the current and next moves, and helps you choose connected CAGED shapes.

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More progression lessons

C G Am F triad lesson C Am F G triad lesson Am F C G triad lesson Connect progressions All practice guides