Common Guitar Chord Progressions

Learn useful guitar chord progressions with Roman numerals and playable examples, then move any pattern to another key.

I–V–vi–IV

C – G – Am – F

A widely used four-chord pattern that balances lift and resolution.

I–IV–V

G – C – D

A foundational three-chord progression in rock, folk, blues and country.

ii–V–I

Dm – G7 – Cmaj7

A strong tension-and-release movement common in jazz.

vi–IV–I–V

Am – F – C – G

A flowing progression that begins with a minor sound.

I–vi–IV–V

C – Am – F – G

A classic progression heard in early pop, ballads and doo-wop.

12-bar blues

A7 – D7 – E7

A practical dominant-seventh framework for blues and rock guitar.

Open the chord transposer

How guitar chord progressions work

Roman numerals describe each chord’s place in a key. Uppercase numerals indicate major chords and lowercase numerals indicate minor chords. Because the pattern describes relationships rather than fixed chord names, the same progression can be played in any key.

How to practise chord progressions

Begin with one slow strum per chord.
Keep a steady four-count while changing shapes.
Add a simple strumming pattern after every transition sounds clean.
Use the transposer to practise the same progression in another key.