Groovy Chord Progressions & Guitar Chords

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 · 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.

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 · ii · V

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

i7 · bVII7 · VI7 · V7

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.