By genre
Chord progressions by genre.
Genres are mostly a harmonic argument: which chord qualities you allow, which degrees you lean on, which keys the instruments push you toward. 24 styles, 15 of them with characteristic progressions written out chord by chord.
Afrobeat
West African genre with complex polyrhythms
Repetitive progressions · Modal harmony
Traits & keys
Bebop
Fast jazz with complex harmony and virtuosic improvisation
Rapid chord changes · Altered dominants
Traits & keys
Blues
African-American genre with characteristic 12-bar form and blue notes
12-bar blues form · Dominant 7th chords
4 progressions
Bossa Nova
Brazilian genre combining samba and jazz
Extended chords · Chromatic movement
4 progressions
Classical
European art music tradition with functional harmony
Functional harmony · Voice leading
2 progressions
Country
American roots music with storytelling and simple harmony
I-IV-V progressions · Major pentatonic
5 progressions
EDM
Electronic dance music with repetitive progressions
Four-chord loops · Build-ups and drops
4 progressions
Flamenco
Spanish guitar music with modal harmony
Phrygian mode · Rasgueado
Traits & keys
Folk
Traditional acoustic music with simple, memorable progressions
Open chords · Capo usage
1 progression
Funk
Groove-based music with syncopated rhythms
Single chord vamps · 9th and 13th chords
3 progressions
Gospel
Sacred music with rich harmony and emotional expression
Circle progressions · Secondary dominants
4 progressions
Hip-Hop
Urban music often using sampled progressions
Looped progressions · Minor keys
Traits & keys
Indie Rock
Alternative rock with creative chord progressions
Unusual voicings · Extended chords
Traits & keys
Jazz
America's classical music featuring complex harmony and improvisation
ii-V-I progressions · Altered dominants
10 progressions
Latin Jazz
Fusion of jazz harmony with Latin rhythms
Montunos · ii-V-I with Latin rhythm
Traits & keys
Metal
Heavy guitar music with power chords and modal harmony
Power chords · Chromatic riffs
3 progressions
Motown
Soul music from Detroit with polished production
Gospel progressions · Call and response
Traits & keys
Neo-Soul
A genre blending soul, jazz, funk, and hip-hop with sophisticated harmony
Extended chords (9ths, 11ths, 13ths) · Chromatic movement
5 progressions
Pop
Mainstream popular music with catchy melodies and simple progressions
Four-chord progressions · Diatonic harmony
9 progressions
Progressive Rock
Complex rock music with unconventional harmony
Odd time signatures · Complex progressions
Traits & keys
R&B
Rhythm and Blues combining soul, funk, and contemporary production
Gospel-influenced progressions · Extended chords
4 progressions
Reggae
Jamaican music with off-beat rhythms and simple harmony
Off-beat chords · Major/minor triads
3 progressions
Rock
Guitar-driven music with power chords and blues influence
Power chords · Blues-based progressions
10 progressions
Samba
Brazilian music with syncopated rhythms
ii-V progressions · Chromatic harmony
Traits & keys