Reflective Chord Progressions & Guitar Chords

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.

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.

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.