Pop chord progressions

8 progressions · 96 keyed pages

Pop keeps the harmony out of the way. Four diatonic chords, all drawn from one key, arranged so each shares a note with the next — the loop turns over without ever demanding a cadence, which is exactly what lets a melody sit on top and repeat.

Tempo: 60–160 BPM
Feel: All major key
Harmony: All diatonic
Form: 3, 4 bars · 4/4

The soundin C

I–V–vi–IVC · G · Am · F

ICVGviAmIVF

Chord tones on the keyboard — the solid key is the root.

Full lesson

Uplifting3

I–V–vi–IV

C · G · Am · F

ICVGviAmIVF

4 chordsbeginner70–130 BPM · 4/4

As heard in Let It Be - The Beatles

I–iii–vi–IV

C · Em · Am · F

ICiiiEmviAmIVF

4 chordsintermediate70–120 BPM · 4/4

I–IV–V

C · F · G

ICIVFVG

3 chordsbeginner80–160 BPM · 4/4

As heard in La Bamba - Ritchie Valens

Smooth1

IV–V–iii–vi

F · G · Em · Am

IVFVGiiiEmviAm

4 chordsintermediate70–130 BPM · 4/4

Nostalgic3

I–vi–IV–V

C · Am · F · G

ICviAmIVFVG

4 chordsbeginner60–120 BPM · 4/4

As heard in Stand By Me - Ben E. King

I–vi–ii–V

C · Am · Dm · G

ICviAmiiDmVG

4 chordsintermediate70–150 BPM · 4/4

As heard in Blue Moon - Rodgers & Hart

I–vi–IV–V

C · Am · F · G

ICviAmIVFVG

4 chordsbeginner70–110 BPM · 4/4

Melancholic1

vi–IV–I–V

Am · F · C · G

viAmIVFICVG

4 chordsbeginner70–130 BPM · 4/4

As heard in Apologize - OneRepublic

Songs built on these changes

Each one links to the progression behind it.

R&B and Soul Rock Folk View all