Essential Rock Guitar Chord Progressions

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

Power Chords | Classic Rock | Driving Rhythms | Iconic Progressions

The Sound of Rock

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

Power Chords

Classic Rock

Driving Rhythms

Iconic Progressions

Essential Rock Guitar Chords

These chords form the foundation of rock music.

Essential Rock Progressions

#1: I-V-vi-IV (Pop-Rock)

BeginnerKey of C Major

The most popular progression in rock music. Used in thousands of rock songs from the '60s to today. Perfect balance of tension and resolution.

🎸 Standard Tuning:

C
G
Am
F

🎵 Famous Songs:

  • "Let It Be" - The Beatles
  • "Don't Stop Believin'" - Journey
  • "With or Without You" - U2
  • "Someone Like You" - Adele

💡 Tips:

  • Works with both open chords and power chords
  • Try different strumming patterns
  • Add palm muting for heavier sound
  • Practice smooth transitions between chords

#2: I-IV-V (Three Chord Rock)

BeginnerKey of A Major

The foundation of rock music. Simple but powerful, this progression appears in early rock 'n' roll, punk, and classic rock.

🎸 Standard Tuning:

A
D
E

🎵 Famous Songs:

  • "Wild Thing" - The Troggs
  • "Louie Louie" - The Kingsmen
  • "Twist and Shout" - The Beatles
  • "Gloria" - Them

💡 Tips:

  • Master these three chords and play hundreds of songs
  • Try different orders (V-IV-I is also common)
  • Use power chords for heavier sound
  • Practice with driving rock rhythm

#3: vi-IV-I-V (Emotional Rock)

BeginnerKey of G Major

Starting on the minor vi chord creates a more emotional, introspective feel. Popular in alternative rock and ballads.

🎸 Standard Tuning:

Em
C
G
D

🎵 Famous Songs:

  • "Zombie" - The Cranberries
  • "Basket Case" - Green Day
  • "When I Come Around" - Green Day
  • "What's Up" - 4 Non Blondes

💡 Tips:

  • Creates immediate emotional impact
  • Great for verses in rock ballads
  • Try fingerpicking for softer sections
  • Build dynamics from quiet to loud

#4: I-bVII-IV (Classic Rock)

IntermediateKey of E Major

The bVII chord adds a modal flavor typical of classic rock. Creates a powerful, driving sound used by many rock legends.

🎸 Standard Tuning:

E
D
A

🎵 Famous Songs:

  • "Born to Be Wild" - Steppenwolf
  • "Sweet Child O' Mine" - Guns N' Roses
  • "Free Bird" - Lynyrd Skynyrd
  • "Highway to Hell" - AC/DC

💡 Tips:

  • The D major chord creates modal sound in E major
  • Common in Southern rock and hard rock
  • Use heavy distortion for authentic sound
  • Practice with palm muting

#5: i-bVII-bVI-bVII (Minor Rock)

IntermediateKey of A Minor

All minor-key progression with a dark, heavy sound. Popular in hard rock, metal, and gothic rock styles.

🎸 Standard Tuning:

Am
G
F
G

🎵 Famous Songs:

  • "Stairway to Heaven" - Led Zeppelin
  • "Losing My Religion" - R.E.M.
  • "House of the Rising Sun" - The Animals
  • "All Along the Watchtower" - Jimi Hendrix

💡 Tips:

  • Creates dark, mysterious atmosphere
  • Common in minor key rock songs
  • Try with both clean and distorted tones
  • Great for fingerpicking patterns

#6: I-V-IV-I (Rock Turnaround)

BeginnerKey of G Major

Simple 4-chord pattern that returns to the starting chord. Perfect for verses and creates a sense of completion.

🎸 Standard Tuning:

G
D
C
G

🎵 Famous Songs:

  • "Good Riddance" - Green Day
  • "Wonderwall" - Oasis
  • "Mr. Brightside" - The Killers
  • "Bad Moon Rising" - Creedence Clearwater Revival

💡 Tips:

  • Creates strong sense of resolution
  • Good for verses that return to chorus
  • Try different rhythmic feels
  • Works well with acoustic guitar

#7: Power Chord Riff in E

IntermediateKey of E Major

Classic power chord sequence focusing on the root and fifth. Foundation of hard rock and metal rhythm guitar.

🎸 Standard Tuning:

E5
D5
A5
E5

🎵 Famous Songs:

  • "Smoke on the Water" - Deep Purple
  • "Iron Man" - Black Sabbath
  • "Wild Thing" - The Troggs
  • "Blitzkrieg Bop" - Ramones

💡 Tips:

  • Use palm muting for tight, percussive sound
  • Keep power chords crisp and clean
  • Focus on rhythm and timing
  • Essential for hard rock and metal

#8: I-vi-IV-V (50s Progression)

BeginnerKey of C Major

Classic doo-wop progression from the 1950s that became foundational in rock music. Creates smooth harmonic movement.

🎸 Standard Tuning:

C
Am
F
G

🎵 Famous Songs:

  • "Stand By Me" - Ben E. King
  • "Every Breath You Take" - The Police
  • "Blue Moon" - The Marcels
  • "Heart and Soul" - Hoagy Carmichael

💡 Tips:

  • Creates nostalgic, classic sound
  • Good for learning chord transitions
  • Try with swing or straight rhythm
  • Foundation for many early rock songs

#9: Descending Chromatic (Modal)

AdvancedKey of A Minor

Sophisticated progression with descending chromatic bass line. Creates haunting, cinematic quality popular in progressive rock.

🎸 Standard Tuning:

Am
Am/G#
Am/G
Am/F#

🎵 Famous Songs:

  • "Stairway to Heaven" - Led Zeppelin
  • "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" - The Beatles
  • "My Immortal" - Evanescence
  • "Hurt" - Nine Inch Nails/Johnny Cash

💡 Tips:

  • Focus on the descending bass line
  • Creates dramatic, cinematic effect
  • Try with fingerpicking or arpeggios
  • Common in progressive and alternative rock

#10: Double Plagal (bVII-IV-I)

AdvancedKey of C Major

Two plagal cadences in sequence, creating a powerful, anthemic sound. Popular in arena rock and classic rock endings.

🎸 Standard Tuning:

Bb
F
C

🎵 Famous Songs:

  • "Hey Jude" - The Beatles
  • "Let It Be" - The Beatles
  • "Free Fallin'" - Tom Petty
  • "Sympathy for the Devil" - The Rolling Stones

💡 Tips:

  • Creates powerful, anthemic feeling
  • Great for song endings and climaxes
  • Try with big, open chords
  • Common in stadium rock

Essential Rock Guitar Techniques

🔇 Palm Muting

Rest palm edge on strings near bridge for tight, percussive sound.

Benefits:

  • Essential for heavy rhythm guitar
  • Creates chunk and definition
  • Perfect for power chord riffs
  • Control amount by palm pressure

Tips:

  • Practice with light touch first
  • Find the sweet spot near the bridge
  • Vary pressure for different tones
  • Combine with distortion for best effect

🎸 Power Chord Movement

Master moveable 2-note shapes to play in any key quickly.

Benefits:

  • Same shape, different frets
  • Learn fretboard note names
  • Practice smooth transitions
  • Essential for rock rhythm

Tips:

  • Start with E and A string roots
  • Memorize note positions
  • Practice chord changes slowly
  • Use minimal finger movement

🥁 Rock Rhythm Patterns

Strong beats 1 and 3 with driving, aggressive feel.

Benefits:

  • Down-up-down-up strumming
  • Accent beats 2 and 4
  • Match the drum patterns
  • Build energy throughout song

Tips:

  • Listen to the drums closely
  • Practice with a metronome
  • Start slow and build speed
  • Focus on consistency

Rock Music Styles

🎸 Classic Rock

Era: 1960s-1980s

Key Features: Blues-based, guitar solos

Common Progressions:

  • I-IV-V progressions dominant
  • Mix of major and minor keys
  • Guitar-driven arrangements

Key Artists:

Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Queen

⚡ Hard Rock/Metal

Era: 1970s-Present

Key Features: Heavy distortion, power chords

Common Progressions:

  • Power chord progressions
  • Minor keys and modal scales
  • Palm-muted rhythm sections

Key Artists:

Black Sabbath, Metallica, Iron Maiden

🎵 Alternative Rock

Era: 1980s-Present

Key Features: Diverse influences, emotional

Common Progressions:

  • vi-IV-I-V emotional progressions
  • Clean/distorted dynamics
  • Experimental chord choices

Key Artists:

Nirvana, Radiohead, Pearl Jam

🏃 Punk Rock

Era: 1970s-Present

Key Features: Fast, simple, aggressive

Common Progressions:

  • Simple I-IV-V progressions
  • Fast tempos and energy
  • Power chords exclusively

Key Artists:

Ramones, Sex Pistols, Green Day

Rock Guitar Practice Plan

📅 Week 1-2: Foundation

Timeframe: 2 weeks

Focus: Basic power chord shapes and simple progressions

Goals:

  1. 1. Learn basic power chord shapes (E5, A5, D5)
  2. 2. Practice I-IV-V progression in E major
  3. 3. Focus on clean chord changes
  4. 4. Use simple down-stroke rhythm
  5. 5. Play along with slow rock tracks

📅 Week 3-4: Rhythm

Timeframe: 2 weeks

Focus: Palm muting and rhythm patterns

Goals:

  1. 1. Add palm muting technique
  2. 2. Practice down-up strumming patterns
  3. 3. Learn I-V-vi-IV progression
  4. 4. Focus on rhythm accuracy
  5. 5. Play with rock backing tracks

📅 Month 2: Expansion

Timeframe: 4 weeks

Focus: Fretboard knowledge and effects

Goals:

  1. 1. Learn power chords across the fretboard
  2. 2. Practice in different keys (A, D, G)
  3. 3. Add distortion/overdrive effects
  4. 4. Learn complete rock songs
  5. 5. Experiment with different rhythms

📅 Month 3+: Advanced

Timeframe: Ongoing

Focus: Complex progressions and techniques

Goals:

  1. 1. Complex progressions (chromatic, modal)
  2. 2. Advanced rhythm techniques
  3. 3. Combine lead and rhythm playing
  4. 4. Study different rock subgenres
  5. 5. Write your own rock progressions

Ready to Play Rock?

Start with the essential chords and progressions above. Every rock legend began with these same basics.