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Chord Progressions Guide

Master the chord progressions that power thousands of songs. From the classic I-V-vi-IV to sophisticated jazz changes, learn the patterns that make music move and connect emotionally with listeners.

Roman Numeral Analysis

Major Key Functions

ITonic (home)
iiSubdominant function
iiiTonic substitute
IVSubdominant
VDominant (tension)
viTonic substitute
vii°Dominant function

In C Major

I = CC - E - G
ii = DmD - F - A
iii = EmE - G - B
IV = FF - A - C
V = GG - B - D
vi = AmA - C - E
vii° = BdimB - D - F

Popular Chord Progressions

I-V-vi-IV

Pop Progression

★★★★★
poprockcountry

"Uplifting, hopeful, anthemic"

I - V - vi - IV
In C: C - G - Am - F

The most popular progression in Western music. Creates a sense of journey and resolution.

Famous Songs:

  • • Let It Be - The Beatles
  • • Don't Stop Believin' - Journey
  • • Someone Like You - Adele
  • + 2 more songs

vi-IV-I-V

Emotional Progression

★★★★★
popballadindie

"Emotional, powerful, contemplative"

vi - IV - I - V
In C: Am - F - C - G

Starts in minor for emotional impact, then resolves through major chords.

Famous Songs:

  • • Grenade - Bruno Mars
  • • Demons - Imagine Dragons
  • • How to Save a Life - The Fray
  • + 2 more songs

I-vi-IV-V

50s Progression

★★★★☆
oldiesdoo-wopcountry

"Nostalgic, classic, timeless"

I - vi - IV - V
In C: C - Am - F - G

Classic progression from the 1950s, still widely used today.

Famous Songs:

  • • Stand By Me - Ben E. King
  • • Blue Moon - Frank Sinatra
  • • Earth Angel - The Penguins
  • + 2 more songs

ii-V-I

Jazz Turnaround

★★★★☆
jazzfusionr&b

"Sophisticated, smooth, resolved"

ii - V - I
In C: Dm - G - C

The foundation of jazz harmony. Creates strong forward motion toward the tonic.

Famous Songs:

  • • All of Me - John Legend
  • • Autumn Leaves - Eva Cassidy
  • • Fly Me to the Moon - Frank Sinatra
  • + 2 more songs

I-IV-V-IV

Rock Progression

★★★★☆
rockbluescountry

"Driving, energetic, traditional"

I - IV - V - IV
In C: C - F - G - F

Classic rock and blues progression. Simple but effective.

Famous Songs:

  • • Sweet Home Alabama - Lynyrd Skynyrd
  • • Free Fallin' - Tom Petty
  • • Wonderwall - Oasis
  • + 2 more songs

i-VII-VI-VII

Modal Progression

★★★☆☆
rockmetalfolk

"Dark, mysterious, modal"

i - VII - VI - VII
In C: Am - G - F - G

Uses natural minor scale harmony. Creates a haunting, modal sound.

Famous Songs:

  • • Stairway to Heaven - Led Zeppelin
  • • All Along the Watchtower - Bob Dylan
  • • Losing My Religion - R.E.M.
  • + 2 more songs

I-bVII-IV-I

Mixolydian Rock

★★★☆☆
rockalternative

"Modal, rock, bluesy"

I - bVII - IV - I
In C: C - Bb - F - C

Uses the flat VII chord from mixolydian mode. Popular in rock music.

Famous Songs:

  • • Sweet Child O' Mine - Guns N' Roses
  • • Clocks - Coldplay
  • • The Wind Cries Mary - Jimi Hendrix
  • + 2 more songs

vi-V-IV-V

Ascending Progression

★★★☆☆
poprock

"Building, ascending, hopeful"

vi - V - IV - V
In C: Am - G - F - G

Creates a sense of building tension and release.

Famous Songs:

  • • Don't Look Back in Anger - Oasis
  • • House of the Rising Sun - The Animals
  • • Creep - Radiohead
  • + 2 more songs

Tips for Songwriters & Musicians

Using Progressions Effectively

  • • Start with simple progressions and add variations
  • • Change rhythm and voicing to make progressions unique
  • • Use inversions to create smoother bass lines
  • • Add extensions (7ths, 9ths) for more sophisticated sound
  • • Consider the emotional journey of your song

Common Substitutions

  • • Replace vi with I (similar notes)
  • • Use iii instead of I for minor flavor
  • • Substitute ii for IV (both subdominant function)
  • • Add vii° before I for stronger resolution
  • • Use borrowed chords from parallel minor

Practice Exercises

  • • Play progressions in all 12 keys
  • • Practice with different rhythmic patterns
  • • Analyze songs you love to find these patterns
  • • Create melodies over each progression
  • • Experiment with different chord voicings

Advanced Techniques

  • • Use secondary dominants (V/V, V/vi, etc.)
  • • Add chromatic passing chords
  • • Experiment with modal interchange
  • • Try tritone substitutions in jazz contexts
  • • Use pedal tones for modern sound