Chord Progressions

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Common Progressions

I - V - vi - IV

C - G - Am - F

Pop, Rock, Ballads

I - IV - V

C - F - G

Blues, Rock, Country

vi - IV - I - V

Am - F - C - G

Pop, Rock Ballads

I - V - vi - iii - IV

C - G - Am - Em - F

Pop, Singer-Songwriter

I - vi - IV - V

C - Am - F - G

Doo-wop, 50s

ii - V - I

Dm7 - G7 - Cmaj7

Jazz, Standards

Minor Key Progressions

i - iv - v

Am - Dm - Em

Natural minor sound

i - VI - III - VII

Am - F - C - G

Pop/Rock minor

i - VII - VI - V

Am - G - F - E

Andalusian cadence

i - iv - V7

Am - Dm - E7

Harmonic minor sound

Jazz Progressions

ii - V - I

Dm7 - G7 - Cmaj7

Basic jazz cadence

I - vi - ii - V

Cmaj7 - Am7 - Dm7 - G7

Rhythm changes bridge

iii - VI - ii - V - I

Em7 - A7 - Dm7 - G7 - Cmaj7

Jazz turnaround

I - V/ii - ii - V

Cmaj7 - A7 - Dm7 - G7

Secondary dominant

Chord Substitutions

Tritone Substitution

Replace V7 with ♭II7 (e.g., G7 → D♭7)

Creates chromatic bass movement

Secondary Dominant

Add V7 before any chord (e.g., I - V7/ii - ii - V - I)

Adds tension and resolution

Backdoor Progression

Replace V7 with ♭VII7 (e.g., G7 → B♭7)

Smoother resolution to I

Diminished Passing Chords

Add dim7 chord a half-step below target

Creates smooth voice leading