Advanced Major Key Chord Progressions

Below you will find examples of tonally richer and more advanced chord progressions found in the major keys of Western music. The examples are all in the key of C, but they can be transposed to any key. If you are writing a song for your own voice, you should definitely transpose to the key that best fits your own vocal range. Audio examples might have embellished chords or inversions.

Starting on the I Chord

I△7 – IV△9 – ii9 – V9

KeyI△7IV△9ii9V9
C MajorCMaj7FMaj9Em9G9

I – III7 – IV△7 – iv6/9

KeyIIII7IV△7iv6/9
C MajorC(add 9)E7FMaj7Fm6/9
This progression is rarely used as the opening chord sequence of a song, and is best used in a bridge or climax of a song.

I△9 – ♭VII – vi7- iv – I6 – ♭v7-IV6-♭ii

KeyI△9♭VIIvi7ivI6♭v7IV6♭II6/9
C MajorC△9Bb*Am7Fm**C6G♭m7F6D♭6/9

*Could be played C(add 9)/Bb **Could be played Ab△7 (add 11, no 5)

I – ♭ii – I – III

KeyI♭ii susIIII7
C MajorCD♭m (sus)CE7

I – ♭VI – I – ♭II

KeyI♭VII♭II△7
C MajorCA♭ (sus)C (add 9)D♭△7

Starting on the V Chord

V/I – I/IV – ♭III△7 – ♭VI△7

KeyV/II/IV♭III△7♭VI△7
C MajorG/CC/FE♭Maj7A♭Maj7

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