Chord Progressions

Learn I–V–vi–IV (C–G–Am–F): why it works, melody tips, and simple variations—add 7ths, change the rhythm, and transpose it to any key for songwriting.

Master the 12‑bar blues in C (C7–F7–G7): the standard form, quick change and turnaround options, plus soloing tips for guitar, piano, and band practice.

Understand ii–V–I in C (Dm7–G7–Cmaj7): voice leading, extensions, and common substitutions like tritone dominant for comping and improvising.

Play the classic I–IV–V in G (G–C–D): rock and blues harmony for riffs and melodies, plus easy upgrades like sus chords, 7ths, and turnarounds.

Explore vi–IV–I–V (Am–F–C–G): why it feels emotional, how to write a chorus over it, and voicing ideas to keep the loop fresh and easy to transpose.

Learn I–vi–ii–V in C (Cmaj7–Am7–Dm7–G7): smooth voice leading, where it shows up in standards, plus comping ideas and substitutions for endings and intros.

Discover the Andalusian cadence (Am–G–F–E): the iconic descending minor progression for flamenco, rock, and film, plus variations you can try.

Play the 50s doo‑wop progression (C–Am–F–G): timeless harmony for verse/chorus writing, plus voice-leading and groove tips for guitar and piano.

Try minor i–iv–v in A minor (Am–Dm–Em): a dark, driving loop for rock and cinematic writing, plus scale and riff ideas to keep it moving on guitar.

Learn a bossa nova ii–V–I in C (Dm7–G7–Cmaj7–Am7): authentic comping feel, smooth jazz harmony, and voicing tips for guitar or piano writing.

Explore Pachelbel’s Canon in D (D–A–Bm–F#m–G–D–G–A): why the bass motion works, how pop adapts it, and voicing ideas for modern pop ballads.

Learn the “Creep” progression (G–B–C–Cm): borrowed chords in a major key, why the mood flips, and songwriting tips for tension and release in choruses.

Use descending minor slash chords (Am–Am/G–Am/F#–Am/F): cinematic bass motion under a static shape, with voicing, melody, and arrangement tips.

Build a funk vamp with i7–IV7 (Am7–D7): tight two-chord harmony for riffs and syncopation, plus voicing and bass-line ideas to stay in the pocket.

Learn the ♭VII–I rock anthem loop (Bb–C): a Mixolydian-flavored progression for stadium choruses, riffs, and hooks—plus melody and expansion ideas.

Try the two‑chord i–♭VII groove (Am–G): an easy funk/rock vamp for riffs and melodies, plus ways to build sections and jam without extra chords.

Play a sad minor loop in A minor (Am–E): a haunting two-chord progression with strong harmonic-minor pull, plus strumming, melody, and dynamics tips.

Learn the gospel I–iii–IV (C–Em–F–C): warm, uplifting harmony for worship and soul, with voicing ideas and 7th-chord options for keys or guitar.

Explore a Dorian vamp (Dm7–Em7): the modal sound behind jazz and soul grooves, with scale notes, voicing ideas, and riff tips for improvising.

Use a pedal-point progression (E–E/D–E/C#–E/B): moving bass under a static chord for tension, intros, and big chorus builds—plus voicing ideas.

Play the IV–V–I cadence in C (F–G–C) to finish choruses cleanly, write uplifting hooks, and tighten voice leading on guitar or piano for guitar and piano.

Capture bittersweet pop motion in C (Am–G–F–C): a chord progression for sad songs, acoustic songwriting, and chorus lifts with easy melody targets for guitar.

Dial in aggressive minor tension with i–♭VII–♭VI–V in E (Em–D–C–B): perfect for metal riffs, dark choruses, and cinematic builds for guitar and piano.

Add smooth bass motion to a pop progression in G (G–D/F#–Em–C): great for fingerpicking guitar, piano comping, and tighter voice leading for songwriting.

Unlock the minor iiø–V7–i in A minor (Bm7b5–E7–Am): essential for jazz piano comping, ii–V practice, and darker song endings for better voice leading.

Write a bright modal hook with I–♭VII–IV in D (D–C–G): a Mixolydian chord progression for indie rock riffs, sing-along choruses, and jams for songwriting.

Bring vintage pop charm with I–vi–IV–V in G (G–Em–C–D): great for doo-wop, ukulele strumming, and sweet ballad choruses with easy hooks for songwriting.

Create a floating indie-pop loop in C (C–Em–Am–F): smooth voice leading for dreamy pads, fingerstyle guitar, and nostalgic toplines that linger for songwriting.

Add lush ballad harmony in E (Emaj7–Amaj7–B7–Emaj7): rich voicings for piano or guitar, great for R&B slow jams and love themes for better voice leading.

Loop a classic jazz turnaround in C (Am7–Dm7–G7–Cmaj7): ideal for swing comping, improvisation practice, and smooth intros or outros in standards for guitar.

Try the tritone-sub cadence in C (Dm7–Db7–Cmaj7) for jazz piano comping, slick turnarounds, and smoother voice leading in standards for guitar and piano.

Use I–vii°–vi–V in C (C–Bdim–Am–G) to add a subtle pull between chords, write pop hooks, and create tension without leaving the key center for songwriting.

Strum a country-ready loop in A (A–E–D–A) to support storytelling verses, bright choruses, and easy vocal melodies with classic guitar-friendly shapes.

Build a cinematic major-key lift in C (C–Ab–Bb–C) for film cues and emotional pop, using borrowed chords to widen the mood without losing the hook for guitar.

Lock in a reggae-friendly progression in C (C–F–C–G) for offbeat skanks, relaxed verses, and tight band arrangements with space for bass hooks for songwriting.

Get a rootsy modal jam in A Mixolydian (A–G–D–A) for riff-based rock, bluesy melodies, and easy band loops that stay open and chantable for songwriting.

Push a modern rock chorus in A (A–E–G–D): big power-chord energy, great for aggressive riffs, pop-punk hooks, and band-friendly progressions for songwriting.

Drive toward a chorus with I–V–IV–V in C (C–G–F–G): a pop progression for builds, repeatable hooks, and tight rhythm-guitar or piano patterns for songwriting.

Create a rising diatonic climb in C (C–Dm–Em–F) for pop and film builds, with smooth voice leading and easy melody notes that feel optimistic for songwriting.

Comp a smooth soul chain in A (Amaj7–C#m7–F#m7–B7) for neo-soul keys, R&B songwriting, and bass-friendly voice leading that feels silky for songwriting.

Glide through jazz-pop harmony in G (Gmaj7–Cmaj7–Am7–D7) for smooth intros, chord-melody guitar, and elegant voice leading on piano or keys for songwriting.

Cycle a classic turnaround in F (Fmaj7–Dm7–Gm7–C7) for jazz standards, swing practice, and writing outros that loop back to the top smoothly for songwriting.

Shape bossa-nova harmony in F (Gm7–Bbmaj7–C7–Fmaj7) for nylon-string guitar, smooth piano comping, and relaxed Brazilian-style arranging in songs and verses.

Hit the epic minor rock loop in B minor (Bm–G–D–A): perfect for power-chord riffs, big choruses, and modern metal or indie arrangements with drive for guitar.

Write a stadium-ready minor progression in E minor (Em–C–G–D): big guitars, sing-along hooks, and easy band arranging with strong bass movement for songwriting.

Set a moody but catchy Aeolian loop in A minor (Am–Em–F–G) for indie pop, acoustic riffs, and chorus builds that feel tense yet singable for songwriting.

Explore a gritty Phrygian vamp in E (Em–F) for metal breakdowns, flamenco flavors, and dark cinematic grooves that stay simple and hypnotic for songwriting.

Keep a hook hanging with I–V–vi–V in G (G–D–Em–D): a pop progression for sticky choruses, rhythmic guitar parts, and toplines that want tension for songwriting.

Smooth out a pop loop in C (C–G/B–Am–F) with stepwise bass, great for fingerpicking guitar, piano arpeggios, and songwriting that feels connected for guitar.

Add a bittersweet twist in E (E–B–C#m–Am) using a borrowed minor iv chord, perfect for emotional pop ballads, chorus drops, and modern songwriting for guitar.

Resolve smoothly in D (Em7–A7–Dmaj7–Bm7): a jazz-pop progression for swing comping, pop bridges, and melodic voice leading that feels polished for songwriting.

Catch a sunny groove in A (A–D–Bm7–E7): great for funk-pop rhythm guitar, upbeat choruses, and bass lines that connect chords with smooth steps for songwriting.

Add bluesy gospel color in C (C–C7–F–Fm) for soulful turnarounds, churchy piano moves, and classic tension before a chorus resolves back home for songwriting.

Set up a smooth bossa turnaround in D (Dmaj7–Bm7–Em7–A7) for Brazilian grooves, jazz guitar comping, and elegant verse-to-chorus transitions for songwriting.

Create a cinematic plagal twist in A (A–D–Dm–A): major to minor subdominant color for emotional ballads, film cues, and dramatic chorus drops for songwriting.

Bring a warm gospel lift in G (G–Bm–C–G) for worship-style choruses, piano voicings, and vocal-friendly melodies that glide with smooth motion for songwriting.

Tag an ending with ii–V–I–VI7 in C (Dm7–G7–Cmaj7–A7): classic bebop motion for swing bands, jazz piano tags, and turnarounds into new choruses for songwriting.

Write a warm folk loop in D (D–Bm–G–D) for fingerpicked verses, acoustic guitar accompaniment, and heartfelt melodies that sit comfortably in the voice.

Build an anthem chorus wave in E (E–A–B–A): big rock harmony for stadium hooks, power-chord riffs, and chorus melodies that ride the IV chord lift for guitar.

Add classic minor-blues pull in E minor (Em–Am–B7–Em): great for blues rock solos, dramatic verses, and guitar leads that resolve with harmonic-minor bite.