Chord Progressions

The most fundamental progression in Western music. Tonic to subdominant to dominant and back — the engine behind thousands of songs.

Classical / Pop / Rock

The most ubiquitous progression in modern pop music. Optimistic and forward-moving, with the vi chord providing an emotional lift.

Pop / Rock

The classic 50s progression. Warm, nostalgic, and endlessly singable — the foundation of doo-wop, early rock and roll, and countless ballads.

Pop / Doo-Wop / Rock

The cornerstone of jazz harmony. The ii minor chord leads to the dominant V, which resolves to the tonic I with maximum harmonic momentum.

Jazz

The defining form of the blues — a 12-bar cycle using I, IV, and V chords. The foundation of blues, rock and roll, and early jazz.

Blues / Rock / Jazz

A sophisticated jazz-influenced progression starting on the ii minor. Common in soul, R&B, and smooth jazz for its warm, flowing harmonic movement.

Jazz / Soul / R&B

The 'axis progression' starting on IV — the same chords as I-V-vi-IV but with a different emotional starting point. More epic and anthemic.

Pop / Anthem

A blues-influenced progression with a major III chord instead of the diatonic iii minor. The major III gives it a bright, slightly unexpected lift.

Blues / Rock

Starts on the vi minor chord, giving it a more melancholic, introspective opening before lifting through IV-I-V. Extremely common in modern ballads.

Pop / Rock / Ballad

A contemporary pop variation. The IV before the vi gives it a slightly different emotional journey — more grounded than I-V-vi-IV.

Contemporary Pop