The Most Commonly Used Chord Progressions on Piano

Understanding chord progressions is key to playing piano across various genres. Chord progressions form the foundation upon which most songs are built. Mastering the most common progressions will allow you to play along and analyze countless hits.

This in-depth guide covers the chord progressions that appear over and over again in popular music. We’ll break down the theory and structure of essential chord sequences. You’ll learn how to play major progressions by ear and use them as building blocks for musicianship. Let’s unlock the patterns and relationships that give songs their distinct harmonic flavors!

Key Takeaways

• Learning chord progressions allows you to play, improvise, and analyze songs in many genres.
• Master essential progressions like I-IV-V-I, I-vi-IV-V, and ii-V-I across all keys through regular practice.
• Train your ear to recognize chord relationships and changes by sound.
• Know foundational progressions to play along with songs by ear, compose original music, and understand theory.
• After basics, study more complex progressions like modal interchange, secondary dominants, and circle progressions to expand skills.

What Is a Chord Progression?

A chord progression is a sequence of chords played in succession. The pattern of chords provides harmonic structure and sets the mood for a piece of music. Chord progressions establish the core accompaniment over which melodies and solos are played.

For example, a simple I-IV-V chord progression in C major would be:

C major (I) – F major (IV) – G major (V)

The chords flow one into the next to provide rhythmic momentum. Unlike a melody, progressions are repeated as the foundation.

Why Learning Chord Progressions Matters

Understanding common chord progressions allows you to:

• Play along with songs by ear as the chords dictate harmony
• Analyze songs to understand their theoretical underpinnings
• Build blocks for improvisation and soloing
• Compose your progressions for songwriting
• Develop your music theory, ear training, and harmonic sensibilities

Chord progressions are the grammar of music. Fluency with progressions opens doors for musicianship and analyzing the language of music.

The I-IV-V-I Chord Progression

The I-IV-V-I progression is one of the most popular in mainstream genres like pop, rock, country, and blues. It provides a strong sense of resolution and harmonic movement while being simple to play. This ubiquitous progression forms the backbone of countless songs.

Built in a major key, the I, IV, and V chords are all major triads. Roman numerals indicate the scale degree of each chord. For example, in C major:

I = C major IV = F major V = G major

Here’s how it looks on the piano:

The I chord establishes the home key and acts as an anchor. The IV chord provides contrast while remaining consonant. The V chord creates tension that wants to resolve back to I to complete the cadence. This propels the music forward.

Let’s analyze examples:

• “Hey Jude” by The Beatles
• “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd
• “Let It Be” by The Beatles

These classics all use I-IV-V-I to create catchy, familiar-sounding harmonies. The sequence is ingrained in our musical consciousness.

Expanding the I-IV-V-I Progression

The I-IV-V-I forms the core progression. But musicians often expand it by:

• Repeating chords like I-I-IV-IV-V-V-I-I
• Adding chords like I-vi-IV-V-I
• Reversing chords like I-V-IV-I
• Starting or ending on chords besides I

These variations add interest while still using familiar relationships evident in the basic I-IV-V-I structure.

The I-vi-IV-V Chord Progression

One of the most popular expanded progressions is I-vi-IV-V-I. This sequence simply adds a vi chord (the relative minor of the key) between the I and IV chords. Used extensively in pop and rock, it offers a bit more color due to the minor vi chord.

For example in C major:

I = C major vi = a minor IV = F major V = G major

The vi chord introduces a slightly darker, melancholy sound before resolving back to the major key. This adds some emotional nuance and musical drama.

Examples using I-vi-IV-V-I include:

• “Saving All My Love For You” by Whitney Houston
• “Dancing Queen” by ABBA
• “With or Without You” by U2

Practice moving smoothly between the I, vi, IV, and V chords until the progression becomes second nature. You’ll start recognizing these changes everywhere.

The I-V-vi-IV Chord Progression

Another very common variant is the I-V-vi-IV-I progression. As you can see, this sequence simply flips the IV and vi chords from the previous version.

In C major:

I = C major V = G major vi = a minor IV = F major

Starting on a V-chord inversion before moving to vi-IV creates an even stronger pullback to I. The vi chord sandwich between major chords also stands out more. Overall, this progression has a bright, uplifting sound.

Examples include:

• “Locked Out of Heaven” by Bruno Mars
• “Rude” by Magic!
• “Stayin Alive” by Bee Gees

Practice identifying songs with this progression by ear. Listen for the V wanting to resolve to me with the vi providing a pivot in between.

The ii-V-I Jazz Progression

Jazz standards frequently use the ii-V-I progression to create smooth voice leading for solos and improvisation. It offers lots of chromatic movement to build tension and resolution.

In C major:

ii = D minor V = G dominant 7 I = C major

The ii chord acts as a predominant, leading into the V7 which strongly wants to resolve to the I tonic for closure.

Here’s how it looks on the piano:

The ii-V-I shows up everywhere in jazz:

• “Autumn Leaves”
• “All the Things You Are”
• “Fly Me to the Moon”

Learning to play ii-V-I sequences in all 12 keys will give you a vocabulary for comping chord charts. The progression forms a cornerstone of the jazz harmonic language.

The I-vi-ii-V “Pop” Progression

A variation of the ii-V-I progression used extensively in modern pop music is the I-vi-i-V-I. This sequence has a dreamy quality by starting on the tonic and briefly touching on the relative minor vi chord before the ii-V.

For example in C major:

I = C major vi = a minor ii = d minor V = G dominant 7

Here’s how it looks on the piano:

Commonly used in ballads and pop songs, this progression floats between major and minor modes:

• “Constant Craving” by k.d Lang
• “Wicked Game” by Chris Isaak
• “Bizarre Love Triangle” by New Order

Practice identifying the melancholy vi chord leading to ii-V to train your ear. This ethereal progression captivates listeners.

The Twelve-Bar Blues Progression

No discussion of chord progressions is complete without mentioning the classic twelve-bar blues form. Used extensively in blues, rock, jazz, and pop, this progression defines the familiar bluesy sound.

In the key of C, a standard 12-bar blues progression looks like:

| C7 | C7 | C7 | C7 | | F7 | F7 | C7 | C7 | | G7 | F7 | C7 | C7 |

It has a simple, repeating pattern with the I7 chord establishing a gritty feel. The IV7 creates tension, while the V7 wants to resolve back to the I7 tonic. This propels the progression forward.

From Chicago blues to arena rock, learn to recognize the 12-bar blues form by ear. It provides the foundation for countless songs across genres.

Here are just a few examples:

• “Pride and Joy” by Stevie Ray Vaughan
• “Sweet Home Chicago” by Blues Brothers
• “Johnny B Goode” by Chuck Berry

Expanding Beyond Basic Chord Progressions

While the above progressions form the backbone of harmony in popular music, more advanced chord sequences build on these foundations. Some examples:

Introducing the vii dim Chord

The viio chord is a diminished triad built on the 7th scale degree. In C major, this would be a Bdim chord. On piano:

vii dim. creates tension and instability that wants to resolve to I, iii, or V chords. Songs may use vii dim-I or vii dim-V progressions.

Adding the iii Minor Chord

The iii chord is a minor triad and can substitute for the vi chord. In C major, iii is E minor. It provides a darker sound. Progressions may use I-iii-IV-V.

Chromatic Mediants

Chromatic mediant chords are major or minor chords whose roots are a third apart, like C major to E major. This non-diatonic leap adds color like a modulation.

Secondary Dominants

Secondary dominants are V chords from related keys like A7 (V of D) which then resolves to Dm in C major. This adds tension.

Expanding your chord vocabulary opens up new harmonic possibilities!

Why Practice Chord Progression Drills?

Doing regular drills on common progressions will elevate your musicianship:

• Train your ears to identify chord relationships by sound
• Build physical dexterity to smoothly transition between chords
• Deeply ingrain essential progressions into your muscle memory
• Improvise melodies and solos over standard changes
• Quickly analyze songs by detecting familiar progressions
• Accompany other musicians by playing chords by ear

Don’t just memorize progressions visually. Be able to play them in any key by ear. Regular chord drills develop harmonic instincts.

Tips for Drilling Chord Progressions

Here are some tips for getting the most out of your chord progression practice:

Practice in All 12 Keys

Don’t just play progressions in comfortable keys like C and G major. Practice them in all 12 keys to build mastery.

Use Chord Inversions

Learn to play progressions using root position, first inversion, and second inversion chords. This builds versatility.

Change Up Rhythms

Play progressions in different rhythmic styles – try swing, syncopation, arpeggiation. Vary how you play the chords.

Apply Various Styles

Practice progressions in different genres like jazz, blues, pop, and rock. Use stylistically appropriate techniques.

Improvise Over Changes

Improvise right and left-hand melodies over standard changes. This elevates musicality.

Play by Ear

Develop your musical instincts by playing progressions by ear without looking at music. Listen to the chord changes.

Making your chord progression practice creative and multi-dimensional accelerates your harmonic abilities.

Advanced Chord Progressions to Know

Once you’ve mastered the basics, here are some more advanced progressions to expand your repertoire:

Circle Progressions

Circle progressions move clockwise or counter-clockwise around the circle of fifths to modulate keys. For example:

Am – Dm – G – C – F – Bdim – Em – Am

Minor Key Progressions

For example, in A minor:

i – iv – V – i
Or: i – VI – VII – i

Modal Interchange

Borrow chords from parallel keys, like using D major from D Mixolydian in a C major progression. Adds color.

Static Harmony

Use repeating chords like ii-V-I-IV. Holds tension before resolution.

Ragtime Progressions

Uses chords like I – I7 – IV7 – ii7 – V7 for an antique flair.

The more progression tools you gain, the more you’ll develop an intuitive sense of impactful chord changes. Master the basics first and then continue expanding your harmonic palette.

Why Musicians Should Know Chord Progressions

There are many benefits to deeply understanding chord progressions as a musician:

Play Any Song by Ear

Hearing chord relationships allows you to quickly figure out songs and play along with recordings. You can pick out tunes by ear.

Improvise and Solo

Knowing which chords are coming next gives a framework to improvise and add melodies over songs. Outline chords when soloing.

Accompany Other Musicians

As part of a band, you’ll need to follow chord charts and changes. Learning progressions makes comping easy.

Compose Original Songs

By studying songs you like, you can borrow and modify chord sequences when writing your tunes. Progressions inspire ideas.

Better Analyze and Transcribe Music

Understanding the theory behind chord progressions allows you to reverse engineer songs and analyze the composer’s ideas. See what makes the music work.

Learning progressions opens doors for creative musicianship in many ways!

Closing Thoughts on Essential Chord Progressions

Understanding common chord progressions allows you to analyze the harmonic structures behind countless popular songs. Studying why certain progressions work so well develops your intuitive sense of pleasing harmony.

Start by thoroughly drilling primary progressions like I-IV-V-I, I-vi-IV-V-I, and ii-V-I across all keys. Then expand your vocabulary by training your ear to identify more advanced chord changes.

With time and practice, you’ll be able to play along with recordings by ear, compose original progressions, and freely improvise over standards. Unlocking chord progressions means unlocking musical possibilities. Have fun exploring these essential harmonic building blocks!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a chord progression?

A sequence of chords that provides harmonic structure and momentum in songs.

Why learn common progressions?

To analyze songs, compose original music, improvise, play by ear, and understand music theory.

What is the I-IV-V-I progression?

The most popular sequence in pop/rock music. Uses the I, IV, and V chords.

What is the 12-bar blues form?

Classic blues progression using I7, IV7, and V7 chords over 12 bars.

What is a secondary dominant?

A V chord from a related key, like A7 in C major, then resolves to a chord in the original key.

How can you practice progressions creatively?

Drill them in all keys, use inversions, change rhythms, apply different styles, and improvise over them.

Where can you find more advanced progressions?

Circle progressions, minor key sequences, modal interchange, static harmony, ragtime, and more.