Common Chord Progressions
Common Chord Progressions:
In the chart below, the chord progressions are given in both the Roman numeral progression and the number progression for those not familiar with the Roman numeral designations. In the Roman numeral designation system, capital numbers represent major chords and lower case represent minor chords. An example of the chord progression is given in the Key of C major or, in the case of the Andalusian variants, A minor.
Feel free to use these common chord progressions as is or modify them. The chord progressions can be used in any key.
| Roman Numeral Progression | Number Progression/Example Chord Sequence | Comments | Hear it |
| I-IV-V | 1-4-5 C-F-G |
One of the most commonly used progressions in all music genres. | |
| ii-V-I | 2-5-1 Dmin-G-C |
Particularly common in jazz. | |
| I-vi-ii-V | 1-6-2-5 C-Amin-Dmin-G |
Particularly common in jazz and gospel. | |
| I-IV-V-IV | 1-4-5-4 C-F-G-F |
Variant of the I-IV-V progression - the "party" progression. | |
| I-I-I-I | 1-1-1-1 C-C-C-C |
This chord progression is an easy start point. | |
| IV-1-1-1 | 4-1-1-1 F-C-C-C |
You will find this one in many jazz and gospel compositions. | |
| V-V-V-I | 5-5-5-1 G-G-G-C |
Often used in popular music because of its strong resolution. | |
| I-V-vi-IV | 1-5-6-4 C-G-Amin-F |
A very popular chord progression used in all types of music. | |
| I-V-vi-iii-iv-I-IV-V | 1-5-6-3-4-1-4-5 C-G-Amin-Emin-F-C-F-G |
Johann Pachebel's Canon in D | |
| I-IV-vii-iii-vi-ii-V-I | 1-4-7-3-6-2-5-1 C-F-Bdim-Emin-Amin-Dmin-G-C |
Circle of Fifth's progression. | |
| I-IV-I-V | 1-4-1-5 C-F-C-G |
Variant of I-IV-V. | |
| I-IV-V-V | 1-4-5-5 C-F-G-G |
Variant of I-IV-V. | |
| I-vi-IV-V | 1-6-4-5 C-Amin-F-G |
Common for love songs. Found in all genres. | |
| I-flat vii-IV | 1-flat 7-4 C-Bbmaj-F |
Add some richness to your progression by adding a flatted chord. This progression is an example. | |
| i-vii-vi-v | 1min-7-6-5 Am-G-F-E |
Andalusian cadence | |
| i-vii-vi-vii | 1min-7-6-7 Am-G-F-G |
Andalusian cadence variant |