Chord Progressions

Master the chord progressions that power your favorite songs. From simple pop progressions to complex jazz sequences, learn the patterns that make music move.

Essential Chord Progressions

I-V-vi-IV (Pop Progression)
The most popular progression in modern music

Roman Numerals

I - V - vi - IV

Example in C Major

C - G - Am - F

Common in

PopRockCountryFolk
ii-V-I (Jazz Standard)
Essential jazz progression

Roman Numerals

ii - V - I

Example in C Major

Dm7 - G7 - Cmaj7

Common in

JazzBossa NovaSwing
12-Bar Blues
Classic blues form

Roman Numerals

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

Example in C Major

C7 - F7 - G7

Common in

BluesRockCountry
vi-IV-I-V (Emotional Progression)
Creates emotional tension and release

Roman Numerals

vi - IV - I - V

Example in C Major

Am - F - C - G

Common in

PopRockBallads

Learn by Instrument

Guitar Progressions
Learn how to play chord progressions on guitar with strumming patterns and fingerings.
Piano Progressions
Master chord progressions on piano with voice leading and inversions.
Ukulele Progressions
Simple ukulele progressions perfect for strumming along to your favorite songs.

Progressions by Genre

Afrobeat
West African genre with complex polyrhythms
Bebop
Fast jazz with complex harmony and virtuosic improvisation
Blues
African-American genre with characteristic 12-bar form and blue notes

Featured Progressions:

I7 - I7 - I7 - I7 - IV7 - IV7 - I7 - I7 - V7 - IV7 - I7 - V7

I7 - IV7 - I7 - I7 - IV7 - IV7 - I7 - I7 - V7 - IV7 - I7 - V7

Bossa Nova
Brazilian genre combining samba and jazz

Featured Progressions:

Imaj7 - ii7 - V7 - Imaj7

Imaj7 - VIIm7b5 - III7 - vim7

Classical
European art music tradition with functional harmony
Country
American roots music with storytelling and simple harmony

Featured Progressions:

I - IV - I - V

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

EDM
Electronic dance music with repetitive progressions

Featured Progressions:

vi - IV - I - V

Imaj7 - vi7 - IV - V

Flamenco
Spanish guitar music with modal harmony
Folk
Traditional acoustic music with simple, memorable progressions
Funk
Groove-based music with syncopated rhythms

Featured Progressions:

I9 - I9

I7 - IV7 - I7 - I7

Gospel
Sacred music with rich harmony and emotional expression

Featured Progressions:

I - I/III - IV - iv

I - vi - ii - V

Hip-Hop
Urban music often using sampled progressions
Indie Rock
Alternative rock with creative chord progressions
Jazz
America's classical music featuring complex harmony and improvisation

Featured Progressions:

ii7 - V7 - Imaj7

Imaj7 - vi7 - ii7 - V7

Latin Jazz
Fusion of jazz harmony with Latin rhythms
Metal
Heavy guitar music with power chords and modal harmony

Featured Progressions:

i - VI - III - VII

i5 - bII5 - i5 - bVII5

Motown
Soul music from Detroit with polished production
Neo-Soul
A genre blending soul, jazz, funk, and hip-hop with sophisticated harmony

Featured Progressions:

ii9 - V13 - Imaj9

Imaj7 - VII7 - iii7 - vi7

Pop
Mainstream popular music with catchy melodies and simple progressions

Featured Progressions:

I - V - vi - IV

vi - IV - I - V

Progressive Rock
Complex rock music with unconventional harmony
R&B
Rhythm and Blues combining soul, funk, and contemporary production

Featured Progressions:

I - iii - vi - IV

Imaj7 - IIImaj7 - vi7 - ii7

Reggae
Jamaican music with off-beat rhythms and simple harmony

Featured Progressions:

I - V - vi - IV

i - VII - IV - i

Rock
Guitar-driven music with power chords and blues influence

Featured Progressions:

I5 - VII5 - IV5 - I5

I - IV - V

Samba
Brazilian music with syncopated rhythms

Understanding Chord Progressions

Chord progressions are sequences of chords that create the harmonic foundation of music. They provide structure, emotion, and movement to songs across all genres.

Roman Numeral Analysis

Roman numerals represent the relationship between chords and the key center. Uppercase numerals (I, IV, V) represent major chords, while lowercase (ii, iii, vi) represent minor chords. This system works in any key.

Common Functions

  • Tonic (I): Home chord, provides stability
  • Subdominant (IV): Creates gentle movement away from home
  • Dominant (V): Creates tension that wants to resolve to I
  • Relative minor (vi): Adds emotional depth