Chord progression library

307 named progressions, from I–V–vi–IV to the 12-bar blues and the Andalusian cadence, in any key and with any capo.

Most songs are built from a small number of chord progressions. This library has 307 of them, named and explained: the four-chord loop I–V–vi–IV, the ’50s progression I–vi–IV–V, the 12-bar blues and its variations, jazz’s ii–V–I, the Andalusian cadence, Bollywood and devotional favourites, modal vamps and cinematic minor progressions.

Every progression is written in Roman numerals, so it plays in any key: tap a key and the chords change. Each one has a note on how it sounds and where it is used, its styles, and what every chord does: tonic (home), predominant (moving away) or dominant (pulling back).

Play guitar with a capo? Pick a capo position and every chord shows the shape you play and the chord it sounds. A star marks the easiest position, so a progression in E♭ can be played with C shapes and the capo on the 3rd fret.

Search by name, by numerals (“vi IV”) or by the chords of your song (“Am F C G”): the library finds every progression that has them, in any key. Press Play to hear it with strumming, bass and drums in a groove that suits its style, then send it to the backing track player or the chord transposer.

How to use it

  1. Browse by style or search for a progression.
  2. Tap one to see it bar by bar, in numerals and chords.
  3. Pick your key, and a capo if you play with one.
  4. Press Play to hear it with a band; tap a chord to hear it alone.
  5. Send it to the backing track player to practise soloing over it.

Common questions

What is the most common chord progression?

I–V–vi–IV (in C: C, G, Am, F) is the most used in modern pop. I–vi–IV–V, I–IV–V and vi–IV–I–V are close behind, and the 12-bar blues rules in blues and rock and roll.

What is a ii–V–I?

The progression at the heart of jazz: a minor seventh chord on the 2nd note of the key, a dominant seventh on the 5th, and the home chord. In C: Dm7, G7, Cmaj7.

What is the Andalusian cadence?

A minor-key progression that steps down: i–♭VII–♭VI–V (Am, G, F, E). Its last chord is major, borrowed from harmonic minor, which gives it a Spanish, flamenco sound.

How do I play a progression in another key?

Read the numerals instead of the chord names, or tap another key in the library: every chord moves for you. A capo lets you keep easy shapes in any key.

Can I use these progressions in my songs?

Yes. Chord progressions are shared by all music and are free to use.

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Chord progressions, one page each

All 100 chord progressions pages
I–V–vi–IV in CI–V–vi–IV in GI–V–vi–IV in DI–V–vi–IV in AI–V–vi–IV in EI–V–vi–IV in FI–V–vi–IV in B♭I–V–vi–IV in E♭I–V–vi–IV in BI–V–vi–IV in A♭I–vi–IV–V in CI–vi–IV–V in GI–vi–IV–V in DI–vi–IV–V in AI–vi–IV–V in EI–vi–IV–V in FI–vi–IV–V in B♭I–vi–IV–V in E♭I–vi–IV–V in BI–vi–IV–V in A♭vi–IV–I–V in Cvi–IV–I–V in Gvi–IV–I–V in Dvi–IV–I–V in Avi–IV–I–V in Evi–IV–I–V in Fvi–IV–I–V in B♭vi–IV–I–V in E♭vi–IV–I–V in Bvi–IV–I–V in A♭I–IV–V in CI–IV–V in GI–IV–V in DI–IV–V in AI–IV–V in EI–IV–V in FI–IV–V in B♭I–IV–V in E♭I–IV–V in BI–IV–V in A♭I–IV–vi–V in CI–IV–vi–V in GI–IV–vi–V in DI–IV–vi–V in AI–IV–vi–V in EI–IV–vi–V in FI–IV–vi–V in B♭I–IV–vi–V in E♭I–IV–vi–V in BI–IV–vi–V in A♭Canon in CCanon in GCanon in DCanon in ACanon in ECanon in FCanon in B♭Canon in E♭Canon in BCanon in A♭ii–V–I in Cii–V–I in Gii–V–I in Dii–V–I in Aii–V–I in Eii–V–I in Fii–V–I in B♭ii–V–I in E♭ii–V–I in Bii–V–I in A♭12-Bar Blues in E12-Bar Blues in A12-Bar Blues in G12-Bar Blues in C12-Bar Blues in D12-Bar Blues in B12-Bar Blues in F12-Bar Blues in B♭12-Bar Blues in E♭12-Bar Blues in A♭i–♭VI–♭III–♭VII in A minori–♭VI–♭III–♭VII in E minori–♭VI–♭III–♭VII in D minori–♭VI–♭III–♭VII in B minori–♭VI–♭III–♭VII in F♯ minori–♭VI–♭III–♭VII in C♯ minori–♭VI–♭III–♭VII in G minori–♭VI–♭III–♭VII in C minori–♭VI–♭III–♭VII in F minori–♭VI–♭III–♭VII in B♭ minorAndalusian Cadence in A minorAndalusian Cadence in E minorAndalusian Cadence in D minorAndalusian Cadence in B minorAndalusian Cadence in F♯ minorAndalusian Cadence in C♯ minorAndalusian Cadence in G minorAndalusian Cadence in C minorAndalusian Cadence in F minorAndalusian Cadence in B♭ minor

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