Chord progressions
Learn these six and you can play the chords to a huge number of songs.01
The progressions
- I–V–vi–IV: G D Em C in GThe four chords behind hundreds of pop songs. If a song sounds familiar after four chords, it’s probably this.
- I–vi–IV–V: G Em C D in GThe 1950s progression: doo-wop, early rock and roll, and every slow dance since.
- vi–IV–I–V: Em C G D in GThe pop progression started on its minor chord, which makes the same four chords sound more wistful.
- I–IV–V–I: G C D G in GThe backbone of folk, blues and rock: home, away, further away, home.
- I–ii–IV–V: G Am C D in GA smooth climb up the scale, common in pop, gospel and worship songs.
- I–IV–I–V: G C G D in GA back-and-forth between home and two neighbours, the sound of folk and country strumming.