Chord Progression Chart

Master songwriting with our comprehensive chord progression chart. Learn the most popular progressions used in thousands of hit songs across all genres.

Interactive Progressions

Common Chord Progressions

Pop & Rock Progressions
I-V-vi-IVMost popular progression

C-G-Am-F

vi-IV-I-VEmotional progression

Am-F-C-G

I-vi-IV-V50s progression

C-Am-F-G

I-IV-VClassic rock

C-F-G

Jazz Progressions
ii-V-IJazz standard

Dm7-G7-Cmaj7

I-vi-ii-VRhythm changes

Cmaj7-Am7-Dm7-G7

iii-vi-ii-VExtended jazz

Em7-Am7-Dm7-G7

I-IV-vii°-iii-vi-ii-V-ICircle of fifths

Circle progression

Blues Progressions
12-Bar BluesClassic blues

I-I-I-I-IV-IV-I-I-V-IV-I-I

8-Bar BluesQuick blues

I-V-IV-IV-I-V-I-V

Minor BluesMinor key blues

i-i-i-i-iv-iv-i-i-V-iv-i-V

Roman Numeral Chart - Chords in Every Key
Use this chart to transpose progressions to any key. Uppercase = major, lowercase = minor, ° = diminished.
KeyIiiiiiIVVvivii°
C MajorCDmEmFGAmBdim
G MajorGAmBmCDEmF#dim
D MajorDEmF#mGABmC#dim
A MajorABmC#mDEF#mG#dim
E MajorEF#mG#mABC#mD#dim
How to Use Chord Progressions

1. Choose Your Key

Select a key that suits your vocal range or instrument. Use the chart above to find the actual chords for your chosen key.

2. Pick a Progression

Start with popular progressions like I-V-vi-IV or I-vi-IV-V. These work in almost any musical style and are proven crowd-pleasers.

3. Add Rhythm & Timing

Each chord typically gets 2-4 beats. Try different strumming patterns on guitar or various voicings on piano to create your unique sound.

4. Create Variations

Add 7th chords (Cmaj7, Am7) for jazz flavor, use inversions for smooth voice leading, or substitute chords (iii for I, or ii for IV) for variety.

Progressions by Instrument

Guitar Progressions

Popular guitar-friendly progressions often use open chords and capo positions.

  • G-D-Em-C (I-V-vi-IV in G)
  • C-Am-F-G (I-vi-IV-V in C)
  • D-A-Bm-G (I-V-vi-IV in D)
  • E-B-C#m-A (I-V-vi-IV in E)
Piano Progressions

Piano progressions benefit from inversions and extended chords for richer harmony.

  • Cmaj7-G/B-Am7-Fmaj7 (Jazz I-V-vi-IV)
  • F-Gm-Bb-C (I-ii-IV-V in F)
  • Dm7-G7-Cmaj7 (ii-V-I in C)
  • Am-F-C-G (vi-IV-I-V in C)
Understanding Chord Progressions

Chord progressions are the backbone of music composition and songwriting. They create the harmonic movement that gives songs their emotional character and structure. This chord progression chart provides essential patterns used in countless hit songs.

Why Learn Chord Progressions?

  • Write songs faster with proven harmonic formulas
  • Understand how your favorite songs work
  • Improvise and jam with other musicians
  • Transpose songs to different keys easily
  • Create emotional impact through harmonic movement

The Nashville Number System

Professional musicians often use numbers (1-7) instead of Roman numerals. This system, popular in Nashville studios, makes it easy to transpose songs on the fly. Our chart includes both notations for maximum flexibility.

Modal Interchange & Substitutions

Advanced songwriters use modal interchange (borrowing chords from parallel keys) and chord substitutions to create unique progressions. For example, using bVII in a major key or replacing V with V7sus4 adds sophistication to basic progressions.