Rock Chord Progressions

Browse rock chord progressions you can play on guitar, then load them into the ChordFlow builder to practice with a backing track.

Rock progressions are about momentum: strong downbeats, clear harmony, and repeatable hooks. If your part feels flat, tighten the rhythm first and aim for clean changes on the “big” beats.

Once the groove is solid, add small upgrades: make V into V7 for extra pull, use sus4 resolves, or try a borrowed iv chord for a darker chorus lift.

I–V–vi–IV: The Most Popular Chord Progression

C major•100 BPM

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.

I–IV–V: Classic Blues & Rock

G major•100 BPM

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.

Andalusian Cadence: Flamenco & Rock

A minor•120 BPM

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

Minor i–iv–v: Dark & Powerful

A minor•100 BPM

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.

I–III–IV–iv: The Creep Progression

G major•92 BPM

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.

♭VII–I: The Rock Anthem Progression

C major•120 BPM

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

Pedal Point: Tension Builder

E major•130 BPM

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.

IV–V–I: Strong Pop Cadence

C major•108 BPM

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.

i–♭VII–♭VI–V: Phrygian Metal Drive

E minor•148 BPM

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.

I–V6–vi–IV: Walking Bass Pop

G major•104 BPM

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.

I–♭VII–IV: Mixolydian Pop Rock

D mixolydian•124 BPM

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.

I–iii–vi–IV: Dreamy Indie Pop

C major•112 BPM

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.

I–vii°–vi–V: Leading-Tone Tension

C major•110 BPM

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.

I–V–IV–I: Country Circle

A major•120 BPM

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.

I–IV–I–V: Reggae Skank Foundation

C major•86 BPM

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.

I–♭VII–IV–I: Roots Rock Jam

A mixolydian•118 BPM

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.

I–V–♭VII–IV: Modern Rock Punch

A major•140 BPM

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.

I–V–IV–V: Pop Pre-Chorus Push

C major•128 BPM

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.

i–VI–III–VII: Epic Minor Rock

B minor•156 BPM

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.

i–♭VI–♭III–♭VII: Arena Rock Minor

E minor•150 BPM

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.

i–v–♭VI–♭VII: Aeolian Pop-Rock

A minor•110 BPM

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.

i–♭II: Phrygian Two-Chord Vamp

E phrygian•120 BPM

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.

I–V–vi–V: Pop Tension Loop

G major•122 BPM

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.

I–V6–vi–IV: Voice-Leading Loop

C major•106 BPM

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.

I–IV–V–IV: Anthem Chorus Wave

E major•136 BPM

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.

i–iv–V7–i: Minor Blues Resolve

E minor•108 BPM

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.