GUITAR KNOWLEDGE BASE

What Are Chord Progressions?

A chord progression is an ordered sequence of chords.

In simple terms

Progressions create musical direction. Some chords establish the key, some create tension and others provide resolution.

How progressions work

Chords in a key are often labelled with Roman numerals. This describes their function and makes the same pattern easy to move into another key.

Common examples

I–IV–V and I–V–vi–IV are common patterns. In C major, I–V–vi–IV becomes C–G–Am–F.

How to practise

Start with one slow strum per chord. Keep the beat steady, then add a strumming pattern after each change sounds clean.

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