Major Key Chord Progressions
In a major key, the diatonic chords follow this pattern:
I (major)
ii (minor
iii (minor)
IV (major)
V (major)
vi (minor)
vii° (diminished).
SO:
Major - Minor - Minor - Major - Major - Minor - Dim
Progression
Name/Style
Example in Key of C Major
Description
I–IV–V
Blues/Folk Staple
C–F–G
The foundation of countless songs; simple and strong.
I–V–vi–IV
"Pop Progression"
C–G–Am–F
Extremely popular in modern pop, rock, and R&B music.
I–vi–IV–V
"'50s" or "Doo-Wop"
C–Am–F–G
Common in older pop music, has a slightly more "classic" feel than the I-V-vi-IV.
ii–V–I
Jazz Turnaround
Dm–G–C
A staple of jazz harmony, creates a strong sense of resolution to the tonic.
I–vi–ii–V
Circle Progression
C–Am–Dm–G
A variation of the ii-V-I, often used in older standards.
I–III–IV–iv
C–E–F–Fm
Uses modal mixture for a slightly more complex, bluesy feel.
I–IV–I–V
C–F–C–G
A simple and effective variation of the basic I-IV-V.
I–V–vi–iii–IV–I–IV–V
Pachelbel's Canon
C–G–Am–Em–F–C–F–G
A well-known longer progression often associated with classical music and ballads.
Minor Key Chord Progressions
In natural minor keys, the diatonic chords follow this pattern:
i (minor), ii° (diminished), III (major), iv (minor), v (minor), VI (major), VII (major).
(Note: the V chord is often played as a major chord in minor keys for a stronger dominant pull, by
borrowing from the harmonic minor scale).
Progression
Description
Example in Key of A Minor
i–iv–v
Basic Minor
Am–Dm–Em
i–VI–III–VII
Popular Minor Pop
Am–F–C–G
i–VII–VI–V
Descending Bassline
Am–G–F–E
i–iv–VI–V
Am–Dm–F–G
iv–i–V
Anticipation/Release
Dm–Am–E
i–ii°–V–i
Am–Bdim–E–Am
i–VII–i–V
Passamezzo antico
Am–G–Am–E
And there is endless variations - ex. putting in 7 and sus-chords a.s.o.