Chord progressions
A handful of progressions power most popular music. Learn these and thousands of songs open up — each page includes practice notes and a looping player.
G – C – D (I–IV–V in G)
beginnerG – C – D
The foundational three-chord progression behind thousands of folk, country and rock songs.
C – Am – F – G (the '50s progression)
intermediateC – Am – F – G
The classic doo-wop turnaround heard in decades of ballads.
G – Em – C – D (I–vi–IV–V in G)
beginnerG – Em – C – D
The same emotional arc as the '50s progression, moved to guitar-friendly G.
Am – F – C – G (vi–IV–I–V)
intermediateAm – F – C – G
The minor-leaning rotation of the four 'axis' chords — the default sound of modern pop and acoustic covers..
Em – C – G – D (vi–IV–I–V in G)
beginnerEm – C – G – D
A dramatic, anthemic loop used across rock and pop.
D – A – Bm – G (I–V–vi–IV in D)
intermediateD – A – Bm – G
The 'axis of awesome' progression in D — bright, driving, and the standard introduction to the Bm barre chord in context..
12-bar blues in E
beginnerE7 – A7 – B7
The most important form in American music.
C – G – Am – F (I–V–vi–IV in C)
intermediateC – G – Am – F
The most-used four-chord loop in modern pop, in its home key of C.