Chord Progressions: Common, Sad, Jazz and Pop Chords by Key

A chord progression is the order of chords a song moves through, such as C–G–Am–F, usually repeated every 4 or 8 bars. The most common one in Western pop is I–V–vi–IV, followed by vi–IV–I–V, I–IV–V, I–vi–IV–V and the jazz ii–V–I. Below are the progressions people use most, written out in the easiest keys for guitar and piano, plus sad, minor and jazz options.

What is a chord progression, and how do Roman numerals work?

A chord progression is a series of chords built from the notes of a key, written as Roman numerals so it works in any key. Uppercase numerals (I, IV, V) are major chords. Lowercase numerals (ii, iii, vi) are minor chords, and a small circle (vii°) means diminished.

Every major key has the same pattern of seven chords: major, minor, minor, major, major, minor, diminished. Learn the pattern once and you can move any progression to any key. That is why musicians say "one-five-six-four" instead of naming the chords.

Use this table to transpose. For example, I–V–vi–IV is C–G–Am–F in C, G–D–Em–C in G and D–A–Bm–G in D.

What are the most common chord progressions?

The progressions below cover most of what you hear in pop, rock, country and folk. Each one is a loop you can play under a whole verse or chorus.

Why does I–V–vi–IV show up everywhere?

It uses the three strongest major chords in the key plus the most common minor chord, so it sounds familiar and settled. The move from IV back to I at the loop point feels like coming home. It also fits a wide range of melodies, which makes it easy to write over.

The trade-off is that listeners have heard it thousands of times. If you use it, the melody, rhythm and lyrics have to carry the identity of the song.

Same chords, different starting point

I–V–vi–IV, vi–IV–I–V, I–vi–IV–V and IV–I–V–vi all share the same four chords. Starting on a different chord changes the mood: starting on I sounds bright, while starting on vi sounds darker. This is the cheapest trick in songwriting, and it works.

What are good pop chord progressions?

Most pop songs use 4-chord loops in the I–V–vi–IV family, played over 4 or 8 bars and repeated through verse and chorus. Pop gets its variety from rhythm, arrangement and melody rather than unusual chords.

• I–V–vi–IV (C–G–Am–F): the default for big choruses.
• vi–IV–I–V (Am–F–C–G): darker verses that lift into the chorus.
• I–IV–vi–V (C–F–Am–G): open and hopeful.
• vi–IV (Am–F): a two-chord loop, common in dance-pop and moody ballads.
• IV–V–iii–vi (F–G–Em–Am): a longer, more emotional loop often heard in Japanese pop and anime songs.

A common pop habit is to keep the same chords for the whole song and change only the drums, bass and vocal energy. If you want the chorus to feel different, try starting the chorus loop on IV instead of I. Our guide on how to write a chorus that sticks covers the melody side of this.

What are minor chord progressions?

Minor chord progressions are built on a minor key, where the home chord (i) is minor. In A minor, the natural chords are Am (i), Bdim (ii°), C (III), Dm (iv), Em (v), F (VI) and G (VII).

Why do some minor progressions use a major V chord?

In natural minor, the v chord is minor (Em in A minor), which sounds soft and unresolved. Raising one note turns it into a major V (E), which pulls hard back to the i chord. This comes from the harmonic minor scale and is why classical and flamenco music in minor keys sound so tense before they resolve.

What chord progressions sound sad?

Progressions that start on a minor chord, linger on minor chords or borrow a minor iv chord sound sad. The tempo and melody matter just as much, so play these slowly with space between the chords.

1. vi–IV–I–V (Am–F–C–G): starts on minor, so it reads as sad even though most chords are major.
2. i–VI–III–VII (Am–F–C–G in A minor): the same chords, framed as a minor key.
3. I–V–vi–iii–IV (C–G–Am–Em–F): the opening of the Pachelbel's Canon pattern; the drop to iii adds a wistful feel.
4. IV–iv–I (F–Fm–C): the switch from major IV to minor iv is one of the most reliable "bittersweet" moves in pop.
5. I–III–IV–iv (G–B–C–Cm): the progression behind Radiohead's "Creep," which combines a borrowed major III with the minor iv.
6. i–v–iv–i (Am–Em–Dm–Am): all minor chords, very heavy.
7. vi–V–IV–V (Am–G–F–G): slow and searching, common in ballads.

A minor iv chord in a major key is called a borrowed chord, because it comes from the parallel minor key. One borrowed chord is often enough to shift a happy song into a sad one.

What are the basic jazz chord progressions?

The core jazz progression is ii–V–I with seventh chords, such as Dm7–G7–Cmaj7. Most jazz standards chain ii–V–I moves together, sometimes through several keys in a few bars.

Rhythm changes are the chords of Gershwin's "I Got Rhythm," reused by many later jazz tunes. To make simple progressions sound jazzier, add 7ths to every chord, then try 9ths on the major and minor chords. If you'd rather hear the style first, the AI jazz generator page shows what full jazz arrangements built on these changes can sound like.