Chord Progressions for House Music

Chord progressions are the foundation of any good house track. In this article, we’ll show you some of the most commonly used chord progressions in house music.

Basic Chord Progressions

Chord progressions are the foundation of any song. They create the basic framework that the melody and harmony are built upon. In this article, we’re going to take a look at some basic chord progressions for house music.

I-IV-V

The I-IV-V chord progression is probably the most used chord progression in popular music. It’s often used in rock, pop and blues songs, and you’ve probably heard it hundreds of times without even realizing it. The progression goes like this:

I = the root note of the key you’re playing in
IV = the 4th note of the major scale
V = the 5th note of the major scale

So, in the key of C, the I-IV-V chord progression would be C-F-G. In G, it would be G-C-D, and so on.

ii-V-I

The ii-V-I chord progression is probably the most common and important chord progression in Jazz. It can be found in countless tunes, both standards and originals. You will find it in slow tunes, medium tempo tunes, and up-tempo tunes. It can be used to create tension or resolution, it can establish the key of a tune or modulate to a new key, it can be used in major or minor keys. In short, the ii-V-I is one of the most versatile progressions in Jazz and knowing how to use it is essential for any Jazz musician.

The ii-V-I progression is made up of three chords: the ii chord, the V chord, and the I chord. In a major key, the ii chord is a minor 7th chord, the V chord is a dominant 7th chord, and the I chord is a major 7th chord. In a minor key, the ii chord is a half-diminished 7th chord, the V chord is a minor 7th chord, and the I chord is a minor 7th chord. The following examples show how these chords are constructed in both major and minor keys.

ii-V-I Progression in C Major
Cmaj7 D7 Emaj7

ii-V-I Progression in A Minor
Am7 Bm7 Cm7

Advanced Chord Progressions

If you’re looking to take your house music production to the next level, then it’s time to start using advanced chord progressions. Chord progressions are the foundation of any good song, and they can make or break a track. There are certain progressions that are used time and time again in house music, and by understanding these progressions, you’ll be able to create your own tracks that sound professional and polished.

iii-vi-ii-V

The iii-vi-ii-V chord progression is a common progression used in many styles of music, including jazz, rock, pop, and blues. This progression is often used to create a sense of tension and release, as the ii-V resolving to the tonic (I) chord creates a feeling of resolution. The iii-vi-ii-V progression can be thought of as a ‘weak’ version of the ii-V-I progression, as it lacks the V chord which creates a sense of resolution.

I-vi-ii-V

One of the most used chord progressions in modern music, the I-vi-ii-V progression is found in countless songs across multiple genres.

A classical example of the I-vi-ii-V progression can be found in Johann Pachelbel’s “Canon in D Major.” In the key of D, the progression would be D-Bm-Em-A.

Many popular songs have used this progression, including “The Winner Takes It All” by ABBA, “Dust in the Wind” by Kansas, and “Don’t Stop Believin'” by Journey.

vi-IV-I-V

This is a very common chord progression in house and techno music. It uses the chords vi-IV-I-V, which are all minor chords. The vi chord is usually a minor 7th chord, the IV chord is usually a major 7th chord, and the I and V chords are usually triads.