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Chord progressions in C major
Explore standard progressions used in pop, jazz, blues, and more.
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Popular progressions
What is a chord progression
A chord progression is a sequence of chords that creates the movement of a song. Play them in order and you have a loop that can carry a melody, a strum, or a sing-along. A lot of the songs you already know are just a few of these loops, repeated.
You do not need many chords to start. Two or three shapes you already have, changed in time, is enough to join in. Learn one pattern well and you will hear it in the next song, and the one after that.
The same progression works in different keys. Once the changes feel comfortable, pick a key that suits your voice, or the key the people you play with already use.
Same pattern, different key
The cards below already use the key you picked above. Those chords belong to the same home note, which is why the changes feel like they want to go together. Choose a different key and every card updates. Same pattern, new shapes, and often a better fit for singing.
Chord sheets sometimes write the pattern as numbers instead of names: I for home, V for the chord that pulls you back, vi for a bit of minor colour. Capitals are major, lowercase are minor. You do not need those numbers to play. They are there so the same song can move from C to G without rewriting the whole sheet.
Beginner progressions
Simple patterns for getting comfortable with chord changes. Start slowly and keep the rhythm steady.
Most popular progressions
Patterns you will hear in a lot of songs. Useful when you want the chords on the page to match something you already know.
Browse progressions by genre
Showing all 58 progressions
Pop
The most popular progression in modern music. Used in countless hits.
A rotation of the Major 4, starting on the subdominant.
Major 4 variant replacing vi with ii for a brighter feel.
Beginner-friendly lift from tonic to ii into IV.
A IV-start pop loop that builds then soft-lands on vi.
Classic-sounding variant with a smooth iii step before V.
A darker four-chord progression descending through minor territory.
Bouncy and optimistic with repeated tonic anchoring.
Circle-of-fifths movement through major and minor chords.
An upbeat feel with a minor-flavored descent back to the tonic.
The 2000s hit machine. Emotional and instantly recognizable.
A vi-start rotation. Builds tension before resolving home.
The "Royal Road" progression: a cornerstone of Japanese pop and anime music.
Rock
The essential three-chord rock foundation.
Reversed rock cadence. Resolves downward to the tonic.
The classic rock and roll loop with a satisfying resolution.
Made famous by Radiohead. A haunting, tension-filled loop.
The signature Oasis sound. Moody and anthemic.
Fast and raw. Three chords and the truth.
High-energy anthem loop. Play it loud and fast.
Blues
A short blues turnaround with dominant tension.
Simple two-chord blues vamp over four bars.
A straightforward blues line that returns firmly to the tonic.
Compact 8-bar blues form. A shorter alternative to the 12-bar.
The quintessential blues form. Twelve bars of pure soul.
Jazz
Standard jazz turnaround starting with the classic ii-V resolution.
Extended ii-V-I resolving onward to the subdominant.
The most fundamental jazz cadence with 7th chords.
Smooth Brazilian bossa nova with lush 7th chords.
Jazz-influenced bossa turnaround. Sophisticated and silky.
Classics
Classic 1950s doo-wop progression. Pure nostalgia.
Classic Motown color with dominant 7ths. Smooth and groovy.
Timeless soul ballad form. Heart and Soul, Stand By Me.
Iconic descending progression from Spanish and flamenco music.
Major-key variant of the Andalusian descent.
From Pachelbel's Canon. Elegant and timeless.
The emotional minor doo-wop sound. Earth Angel vibes.
Folk & Country
A bright, uplifting campfire-style progression.
The backbone of country music. Open road sing-along.
Simple country waltz. Front porch picking.
Rolling fingerpicking pattern. A folk standard.
Fast flatpicking energy. Keep your fingers moving.
Minimal folk foundation that works for many campfire songs.
Ultra-simple campfire progression using just I and IV.
Island
The quintessential Hawaiian turnaround. Warm and sunny.
Inspired by slack-key guitar traditions. Simple and sweet.
Gentle two-chord hula sway. Hypnotic and relaxing.
A breezy island progression with a touch of longing.
The island take on the four-chord anthem. Feels like a beach sunset.
Soft and dreamy. Perfect for swaying under palm trees.
A romantic island serenade with circle-of-fifths movement.
Classic reggae strum pattern. Laid-back island groove.
Roots reggae feel with emphasis on the off-beat.
Upbeat ska-influenced reggae progression.
Latin
The iconic La Bamba loop. Infectious and danceable.
Foundation of Cuban son music. Warm and rhythmic.
Romantic Latin bolero. Slow and passionate.
Colombian cumbia groove. Simple and infectious.