Guitar Chord Progressions

Master the patterns that power every genre of music

🎵 6 Major Genres | 🎸 100+ Progressions | 📊 Organized by Difficulty | 🎯 Clear Learning Path

Why Learn Chord Progressions?

Here's the secret: Most songs use the same handful of chord progressions. Once you learn these patterns, you can play thousands of songs! Chord progressions are the backbone of music - they create the emotional journey that makes songs memorable.

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Pattern Recognition

Learn once, apply everywhere

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Faster Learning

Master songs in minutes, not hours

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Write Your Own

Create original music with confidence

Progression Learning Path

1

Beginner Level - Weeks 1-4

Master the Big 4

Key Progressions:
  • • I-V-vi-IV
  • • vi-IV-I-V
  • • I-vi-IV-V
  • • I-IV-V
Learning Goals:
  • • Learn basic open chords
  • • Practice smooth transitions
  • • Play along with simple songs

Next Step: Start with pop and folk progressions

2

Intermediate Level - Months 2-3

Genre Exploration

Key Progressions:
  • • 12-bar blues
  • • ii-V-I basics
  • • Modal progressions
Learning Goals:
  • • Add 7th chords
  • • Learn barre chords
  • • Understand song structure

Next Step: Explore blues and basic jazz

3

Advanced Level - Month 4+

Complex Harmony

Key Progressions:
  • • Extended jazz
  • • Altered dominants
  • • Modulation
Learning Goals:
  • • Master jazz voicings
  • • Write original progressions
  • • Improvise over changes

Next Step: Create your own style

Explore by Genre

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Essential Blues Guitar Chord Progressions

Beginner

Master the 10 chord progressions that built the blues - From Robert Johnson to B.B. King

Key Progressions:

12-Bar Blues8-Bar BluesI-IV-V

Famous Songs:

Johnny B. Goode, Pride and Joy, Sweet Home Chicago

Characteristics:

  • • Dominant 7th Chords
  • • 12-Bar Structure
  • • Emotional Expression
  • • Authentic Sound
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Essential Rock Guitar Chord Progressions

Beginner

Master the power chord progressions that built rock music - From The Beatles to AC/DC

Key Progressions:

I-bVII-IVI-IV-Vvi-IV-I-V

Famous Songs:

Sweet Child O' Mine, Wild Thing, Don't Stop Believin'

Characteristics:

  • • Power Chords
  • • Classic Rock
  • • Driving Rhythms
  • • Iconic Progressions
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Essential Pop Guitar Chord Progressions

Beginner

Master the catchy progressions that power modern pop hits - From The Beatles to Taylor Swift

Key Progressions:

I-V-vi-IVvi-IV-I-VI-vi-IV-V

Famous Songs:

Let It Be, Someone Like You, Perfect

Characteristics:

  • • Catchy Hooks
  • • Radio-Friendly
  • • Emotional Accessibility
  • • Memorable Melodies
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Essential Jazz Guitar Chord Progressions

Advanced

Master sophisticated jazz harmony - From ii-V-I to complex substitutions

Key Progressions:

ii-V-II-vi-ii-VRhythm Changes

Famous Songs:

Autumn Leaves, Fly Me to the Moon, All The Things You Are

Characteristics:

  • • Complex Harmony
  • • Extended Chords
  • • Sophisticated Movement
  • • ii-V-I Patterns
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Essential Folk Guitar Chord Progressions

Beginner

Master timeless folk progressions - Simple, pure, and perfect for storytelling

Key Progressions:

I-V-vi-IVI-vi-IV-VI-IV-V

Famous Songs:

Blowin' in the Wind, Scarborough Fair, House of Gold

Characteristics:

  • • Simple Structure
  • • Open Chords
  • • Storytelling Focus
  • • Timeless Appeal
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Essential Country Guitar Chord Progressions

Intermediate

Master classic country progressions - From traditional Nashville to modern country

Key Progressions:

I-V-vi-IVI-IV-I-Vvi-IV-I-V

Famous Songs:

Friends in Low Places, Wagon Wheel, Country Roads

Characteristics:

  • • Storytelling
  • • Major Keys
  • • Traditional Harmony
  • • Nashville Sound

The Essential 6 Progressions

These six progressions appear in thousands of songs across all genres. Master these and you'll recognize the patterns in most popular music.

I-V-vi-IV

I - V - vi - IV

C - G - Am - F

The most popular progression in modern music

Beginner
PopRockFolk

Famous Examples:

  • • Let It Be
  • • Someone Like You
  • • Perfect

vi-IV-I-V

vi - IV - I - V

Am - F - C - G

Creates immediate emotional impact

Beginner
PopRockAlternative

Famous Examples:

  • • What's Up?
  • • Zombie
  • • Apologize

I-vi-IV-V

I - vi - IV - V

C - Am - F - G

Classic doo-wop and 50s progression

Beginner
PopRockDoo-wop

Famous Examples:

  • • Stand By Me
  • • Every Breath You Take
  • • Blue Moon

12-Bar Blues

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

E-E-E-E-A-A-E-E-B-A-E-B

The foundation of blues, rock, and jazz

Beginner
BluesRockJazz

Famous Examples:

  • • Johnny B. Goode
  • • Hound Dog
  • • Rock and Roll

ii-V-I

ii - V - I

Dm - G - C

The cornerstone of jazz harmony

Intermediate
JazzR&BSoul

Famous Examples:

  • • Autumn Leaves
  • • Fly Me to the Moon
  • • All The Things You Are

I-bVII-IV

I - bVII - IV

D - C - G

Modal rock progression with power

Intermediate
RockHard RockGrunge

Famous Examples:

  • • Sweet Child O' Mine
  • • Hey Joe
  • • Sympathy for the Devil

Progression Quick Reference

Common Keys

  • • Key of C: C - Dm - Em - F - G - Am - Bdim
  • • Key of G: G - Am - Bm - C - D - Em - F#dim
  • • Key of D: D - Em - F#m - G - A - Bm - C#dim
  • • Key of A: A - Bm - C#m - D - E - F#m - G#dim

Roman Numeral System

  • • Major chords: I, IV, V (uppercase)
  • • Minor chords: ii, iii, vi (lowercase)
  • • Diminished: vii° (lowercase with °)
  • • Example in C: I=C, ii=Dm, iii=Em, IV=F, V=G, vi=Am, vii°=Bdim

Start Your Progression Journey!

Pick a genre that excites you and dive in. Every progression you learn opens up dozens of new songs!

Start with Pop Progressions →See Song Examples