All Chord Progressions

I · I · I · I · IV · IV · I · I · V · IV · I · V

The foundation of rock and roll. Twelve bars of pure groove that launched a million guitar solos.

I · vi · IV · V

The classic doo-wop progression from the 1940s-60s. Creates an instantly nostalgic, romantic feel. Also called the 'Heart and Soul' or 'Stand By Me' changes.

i · v · VII · IV

The driving synth-pop progression that dominated the 2020s. Fm-Cm-Eb-Bb creates an endless loop that never fully resolves, keeping the energy building throughout the song.

iv7 · v7

The hypnotic two-chord groove of modern Afrobeats. Dm7-Em7 repeating creates that irresistible danceable loop. Wizkid's Essence perfected this minimalist but incredibly effective approach.

VI · VII · i

The driving minor progression that powers intense anime openings. C-D-Em builds energy through the ascending VI-VII before landing on the minor tonic. This exact progression is used in Demon Slayer's iconic opening.

i · VI · VII · III

The haunting progression from Tokyo Ghoul's iconic opening. Gm-Eb-F-Bb creates that unsettling, emotional quality perfect for darker anime themes. The minor tonic with ascending movement captures TK's signature melancholy.

IVmaj7 · V7 · iii7 · vi7

The Royal Road progression with 7th chords - also known as the 'koakuma chord progression'. The added extensions create that lush, emotional anime soundtrack feeling. This is the actual form commonly used in J-pop production.

Imaj7 · vi7 · ii7 · V7

The warm, reflective progression that plays over anime ending credits. Usually softer and more introspective than opening themes, giving time to process the episode's events.

i · VII · iv · III

The driving minor progression from one of the most iconic anime openings ever. Cm-Bb-Fm-Eb creates that sense of epic momentum and emotional intensity that defined Evangelion's legendary theme.

V · IV · I · vi

The warm, hopeful progression from Your Name. C#-B-F#-D#m creates that bittersweet yet uplifting feeling of connection and longing that defines Makoto Shinkai's film soundtracks.

i7 · IIImaj7 · iv7 · V7

The big band jazz sound of Cowboy Bebop. Tank! uses Cm7-Ebmaj7-Fm7-G7 with Latin-infused hard bop energy. The 7th chords give it that authentic big band jazz feel.

VI · VII · i

The ascending minor progression common in emotional J-pop and anime openings. The VI-VII-i creates a hopeful yet bittersweet feeling as it rises to resolve on the minor tonic.

i7 · bVII7 · bVImaj7 · V7

The chromatic descent with 7th chords creates suspense and intrigue. Perfect for mystery anime, detective scenes, and moments of revelation.

IV · V · iii · vi

The iconic 'Royal Road' progression (王道進行) that defines J-Pop and anime openings. First documented in Yumi Arai's 1974 songs, it creates that bright, emotional feeling perfect for 'main character moments'.

I · V · vi · IV

The endless loop that defined atmospheric arena rock. D-A-Bm-G repeats unchanged throughout the entire song, creating an open-ended mood. The Edge's delay-drenched guitar makes this simple progression sound infinite.

IV · V · I

The most fundamental cadence in Western music. The V to I creates the strongest sense of resolution and finality. Perfect for endings and moments of triumph.

i · VII · VI · V

The Andalusian cadence - a descending progression used in flamenco, classical, and dramatic film scores. Timeless and powerful.

I · V · vi · IV

The emotional heart of Hindi film music. Simple progressions support elaborate melodies and dramatic vocals in Bollywood love songs.

Imaj7 · II7 · ii7 · bII7

The sophisticated Brazilian progression featuring jazzy major 7th chords and chromatic movement. The tritone substitution creates that smooth, elegant bossa feel.

i7 · III · VIIsus4 · IVsus4

The jangly Britpop sound with suspended and extended chords acting as drones. F#m7-A-Esus4-Bsus4 creates that endless, yearning loop that defined 90s acoustic anthems.

I · vi · IV · V

The theatrical, emotionally building progression of musical theatre. Big crescendos, key changes, and dramatic tension define the showstopping moment.

i · VII · i · v

The modal, droning progression of Irish reels and jigs. The i-VII movement creates that distinctive Celtic sound, often played in DADGAD tuning with open drones.

iv7 · VII7 · v7 · i7

The minor-key groove of 80s Japanese city pop. Gm7-C7-Am7-Dm7 creates that sophisticated, urban nightlife feel. This jazzy progression captures the bittersweet, nostalgic quality that defines the genre.

ii7 · V7 · Imaj7 · vi7

The jazz turnaround that city pop borrowed wholesale. Dm7-G7-Cmaj7 resolves, then vi7 swings it straight back around, which is how these records stay glossy for four minutes without ever quite sounding like they have landed.

I · V · vi · IV

The sound of modern worship music. Sus2 chords, ambient pads, and simple progressions create space for congregational singing and reflection.

I · IV · V

The quintessential country/folk progression. Three chords and the truth. Simple, honest, and timeless.

i · VI · III · VII

A dark, minor-key progression that defined the grunge and alternative rock era. Heavy, moody, and full of tension.

VI · VII · i · III

The dark pop progression that defined Lady Gaga's early hits. The VI-VII-i creates an ascending build to the minor tonic, with the III adding brightness. This F-G-Am-C progression drives the iconic chorus.

I · V · vi

The 'plot twist' of music. When you expect resolution to the I chord but get the vi instead. Creates surprise, tension, and emotional depth.

Imaj7 · #Idim7 · ii7 · V7

A classic jazz and swing technique using a diminished 7th chord as a chromatic passing chord between Imaj7 and ii7. Creates smooth voice leading and harmonic tension.

ii7 · V7

Disco often refuses to resolve at all. Two seventh chords trade back and forth — a ii-V that never reaches the I — so the groove can run indefinitely without the harmony ever telling you the song is over. Chic's 'Good Times' is the canonical example, and one of the most sampled bars in recorded music.

I7 · I7 · I7 · I7 · IV7 · IV7 · I7 · I7 · V7 · IV7 · I7 · V7

The authentic 12-bar blues with dominant 7th chords on every change. The '7' quality is essential to the blues sound - that flat 7th creates the characteristic bluesy tension.

IV · V · vi

The minimal, hypnotic progression of bedroom pop. C-D-Em creates a dreamy, floating sensation with just three chords repeating endlessly. Billie Eilish's breakout hit defined this ethereal sound.

i · VI · III · VII

The driving EDM progression that builds before the drop. Bm-G-D-A creates urgency that resolves through the major chords. This i-VI-III-VII became the signature sound of 2010s EDM anthems.

vi · IV · I · V

The dramatic, building progression used in movie trailers and epic moments. Starts minor, resolves to triumphant major.

Isus2 · IVsus2 · vi7 · IVmaj7

Suspended chords leave out the third, the note that decides whether a chord is major or minor, so nothing here ever commits to a mood. Held slowly, with the top two strings ringing open through every change, the progression floats rather than moves — the ambient, weightless quality that post-rock and dream pop are after.

i · VII · VI · V

The passionate Andalusian/Phrygian progression. The descending bass line creates a distinctly Spanish, dramatic character.

i7 · IV7

The dark, funky minor groove of Superstition. Built on Eb Dorian with Ebm7 and Ab7 creating that iconic clavinet riff. The minor i7 with major IV7 is the essence of funk.

I · IV · I · V · I

The traditional gospel progression building through IV to V and back. Creates a powerful sense of uplift and spiritual release.

i · iv · III · VI

The iconic grunge progression: i-iv-III-VI with power chords. The pairs of chords (i-iv and III-VI) are each a fourth apart, creating that restless, angsty energy that defined 90s alternative rock.

I · V · vi · IV

The Axis progression played as a slow, emotional piano ballad. The same I-V-vi-IV that powers countless hits, but the slow tempo and sparse arrangement create that raw, heartbreak feeling.

i7 · v7 · VI7

The soulful 90s house progression. Dm7-Am7-Bbmaj7 creates that uplifting piano house sound. The simple three-chord loop with stabs and soul vocals defined early 90s club music.

i · VI · iv

The dark, hypnotic three-chord vamp that defines modern indie rock. The i-VI-iv (Gm-Eb-Cm) creates a brooding atmosphere with that signature Arctic Monkeys groove.

IV · V · vi · I

A variation of the Royal Road that resolves to the I chord, creating a bittersweet but hopeful feeling. Common in emotional J-pop ballads.

IVmaj7 · iii7 · vi7 · ii7 · V7

The lush, jazzy progression of late-night J-pop ballads. Extended 7th chords and the iii-vi-ii-V turnaround create a sophisticated, dreamy atmosphere perfect for city night scenes.

IVmaj7 · iii7 · vi7 · Imaj7 · IVmaj7 · V7

The bittersweet sound of Japanese school graduation. Cherry blossoms, farewells, and new beginnings. Extended 7th chords capture that uniquely Japanese sense of 'mono no aware' (the pathos of things).

Imaj7 · vi7 · ii9 · V7

The lush, romantic jazz ballad progression with extended chords. The ii9 adds extra color and sophistication to this timeless sound.

vi7 · ii7 · V7 · Imaj7

The quintessential jazz turnaround with rich 7th chords. The vi7-ii7-V7-Imaj7 follows the circle of fifths for smooth voice leading, perfect for chill coffeehouse vibes and neo-soul.

iii7 · vi7 · ii7 · V7

The diatonic circle of fifths progression with 7th chords. Each chord's root is a fifth below the previous, creating smooth harmonic motion that resolves to the I chord.

IVmaj7 · III7 · vi7 · v7 · I7

Known in Japan as 丸サ進行, after Sheena Ringo's 'Marunouchi Sadistic', and in the West as the 'Just the Two of Us' changes. The move from IVmaj7 to III7 is the hook: a secondary dominant that pulls hard into the vi chord and gives city pop, neo-soul and modern J-pop their smooth, slightly aching quality.

vi · ii · V · I

The feel-good disco progression that defines uplifting K-pop. The vi-ii-V-I (C#m-F#m-B-E) creates smooth harmonic motion with that signature BTS funk energy.

i · VII · VI · V

The dramatic, intense minor-key progression used in powerful K-pop songs. Often features Phrygian mode influences for an exotic, dark feel.

vi · IV · V · I

小室進行, named after producer Tetsuya Komuro, who built most of 90s J-pop on it. Starting on the relative minor and climbing to the tonic gives the phrase a rising, triumphant shape, which is why it still turns up constantly in anime openings and dance pop.

ii7 · V7 · Imaj7 · IVmaj7

The cozy, nostalgic sound of lo-fi beats. Jazz-influenced 7th chords create that warm, slightly melancholic study music vibe.

Iadd9 · IVadd9 · vi7

Math rock is defined less by which chords you play than by how they are counted and voiced. This loop runs seven beats instead of eight, so it never quite lands where you expect, and the add9 shapes keep open strings ringing against fretted notes — the bright, bell-like clash the genre is built on. Play it clean, with fingers rather than a pick. For the sound in full, start with American Football, Toe and Covet.

i · VI · VII · i

The quintessential heavy metal progression using power chords. The bVI-bVII movement creates that aggressive, driving metal sound that defined thrash and heavy metal.

i · II · i · VII

Based on the Hijaz maqam, featuring the distinctive b2-3 interval that creates that 'exotic' Middle Eastern sound. The same scale as Phrygian Dominant.

IV · V · vi · I

The twinkly, arpeggiated F-G-Am-C progression that defines midwest emo. American Football pioneered this sound with open tunings (FACGCE) and intricate fingerpicking that creates a nostalgic, dreamy atmosphere.

i · iv · V

The menacing i-iv-V minor progression that powers modern dark pop. The major V chord creates tension against the minor tonality, giving that signature unsettling-yet-catchy feel.

vi · IV · I · V

The same four chords as the pop axis progression, started on the relative minor instead of the tonic. That one change is the difference between triumphant and aggrieved, which is why it became the default setting for pop punk, post-grunge and every angsty rock single of the late 90s.

i · iv · V

The minor key blues progression. Darker and more melancholic than standard blues, with a raw emotional edge.

i7 · bVII7 · VI7 · V7

A sophisticated minor jazz progression with all dominant 7th chords descending chromatically. Creates a smooth, bebop-influenced sound.

I · III · IV · iv

Radiohead's iconic progression featuring modal interchange. The non-diatonic III (B major) shines unexpectedly, while the iv (Cm) is borrowed from the parallel minor, creating that signature bittersweet 'creep' feeling.

vi · IV · I · V

The rotation of the Axis progression that starts on the minor chord. Creates a more dramatic, emotionally intense feel popular in modern streaming-era pop.

I · vi · ii · V

The sophisticated Motown progression that drove countless hits. The ii-V turnaround adds jazz sophistication to pop soul.

Imaj7 · v7 · IVmaj7 · VImaj7

The lush, romantic progression that defines modern neo-soul. Dmaj7-Am7-Gmaj7-Bbmaj7 creates that warm, intimate atmosphere. Daniel Caesar's signature sound.

I · V · vi · iii · IV · I · IV · V

The famous baroque progression that influenced countless pop songs. Features a descending bass line that creates a sense of elegant forward motion.

I · IV · I

Known as the 'Amen cadence' for its use in hymns. Creates a softer, more peaceful resolution than the authentic cadence. Warm and spiritual.

I · V · vi · IV

Same chords as the sad ballad, but played fast and energetic. The backbone of countless pop punk and emo songs from the 2000s.

IV · I · V · vi

The expansive, building progression of post-rock. A-E-B-C#m creates slow-building emotional crescendos. Layers of delay, tremolo picking, and dynamics define Explosions in the Sky's signature sound.

I · IV · V

Fast, simple, and aggressive. The Ramones took basic rock chords and played them at breakneck speed with all downstrokes, creating the blueprint for punk rock.

vi7 · iii7 · IV7 · V

The smooth 90s R&B groove. Fm7-Cm7-Db7-Eb in Ab creates that laid-back, sensual atmosphere. The ii7-v7-IV7-V creates smooth voice leading that became the blueprint for 90s slow jams.

vi · V

The haunting minor reggae progression. Just two chords create an endless, meditative groove with a slightly melancholic edge.

I · IV

The fundamental two-chord reggae progression with the characteristic off-beat 'skank' rhythm. Simple but deeply groovy.

i · VI · III · VII

The iconic dembow-driven reggaeton progression. Bm-G-D-A repeats endlessly, creating that hypnotic Latin groove. This simple four-chord loop became the backbone of global hits.

I · V · vi · IV

The most popular progression in modern pop music. Evokes a bittersweet, emotional feeling that works for both uplifting and melancholic songs.

I · iii · IV · V

The lush, layered progression that defines shoegaze. D-F#m-G-A with suspended chord variations creates those ethereal walls of sound. Slowdive perfected this dreamy atmosphere.

i · i+ · i6 · i+

The iconic chromatic line from spy movie themes. The 5th of the minor chord rises chromatically (B → C → C#) then falls back (C), creating the classic tension and release. This is the signature sound of 007.

Imaj7 · II7 · ii7 · V7

The open-window sound of 80s summer city pop. The II7 comes from outside the key and lifts the whole phrase before the ii-V pulls it home, which is what gives these songs their sunlit quality with an edge of wistfulness underneath.

i · VII · VI · V

Fast tremolo picking, spring reverb, and the Andalusian cadence define the surf rock sound. Dick Dale pioneered this energetic style in the early 60s.

Isus4 · I · IVsus4 · IV · Vsus4 · V

The powerful sound of suspended 4th chords resolving to their major counterparts. Creates rhythmic drive and anticipation - a signature move in classic rock.

i · VII · VI · iv

The descending minor progression that defines synthwave. Am-G-F-Dm creates that moody, cinematic 80s atmosphere made famous by the Drive soundtrack.

I · IV · V

Three major chords, played fast, downstroked throughout. Punk did not invent I-IV-V — it is the backbone of blues and early rock and roll — but it stripped the progression of everything else and ran it at double the tempo, which is why two minutes of it still sounds like an argument.

i · iv · VII · i

The ominous flute-driven trap progression from Mask Off. The i-iv-VII creates a dark, hypnotic loop that defined trap music's atmospheric sound. Simple but incredibly effective.

Imaj7 · bII7 · Imaj7

The ultimate jazz substitution - replacing V7 with bII7 (a tritone away). Creates a chromatic bass line and unexpected color that defines modern jazz harmony.

I · bVI · bVII · I

The iconic Final Fantasy victory fanfare by Nobuo Uematsu. The I-bVI-bVII-I uses Mixolydian interchange to create that euphoric, triumphant feeling. Those borrowed chords are what make it sound so celebratory.

vi7 · V7 · IVmaj7 · iii7

The fast-paced, electronic sound of Vocaloid and rhythm game music. 7th chords add color to the driving tempo that defines Hatsune Miku hits and Project Diva songs.