Below you will find examples of basic common 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 – vi – ii – V
Key
I
vi
ii
V
C Major
C
Am
Dm
G
Also try adding a 7 to the chords (i.e. CMaj7, Am7, Dm7, G7)
I – vi – IV – V
Key
I
vi
IV
V
C Major
C
Am
F
G
I – V – vi – IV
Key
I
V
vi
IV
C Major
C
G
Am
F
I – iii – vi – IV
Key
I
iii
vi
IV
C Major
C
Em
Am
F
I – iii – vi – I – IV – I- Vsus- V
Key
I
iii
vi
I
IV
I
Vsus
V
C Major
C
Em
Am
C
F
C
Gsus
G
Starting On The ii Chord
ii – V7 – I
Key
ii
V7
I
C Major
Dm
G7
C
This progression is the cornerstone of jazz
ii – V – I – IV
Key
ii
V
I
IV
C Major
Dm
G
C
F
Starting On The iii Chord
iii – vi – IV – I
Key
iii
vi
IV
I
C Major
Em
Am
F
C
Starting On The IV Chord
IV – I – ii – vi
Key
IV
I
ii
vi
C Major
F
C
Dm
Am
IV – I – iii – IVsus
Key
IV
I
iii
IVsus
C Major
F
C
Em
Fsus
Starting On The V Chord
V – IV – vi – I
Key
V
IV
vi
I
C Major
G
F
Am
C
V – vi – IV – IV – V – vi – IV – I
Key
V
vi
IV
IV
V
vi
IV
I
C Major
G
Am
F
F
G
Am
F
G
Starting On The vi Chord
vi – IV – I – V
Key
vi
IV
I
V
C Major
Am
F
C
G
vi – V – I – V
Key
vi
V
I
V
C Major
Am
G
C
G
Song Spark Workbook
Sign Up For Our Newsletter and Receive the Song Spark Workbook for Free!
You'll also get tips on songwriting, how to deepen your faith, and important notices about the contest.