Common Chord Progressions in Pop Music

We all know that popular music is often based around simple chord progressions. But what are some of the most common progressions out there?

Introduction

I-V-vi-IV
The I-V-vi-IV chord progression is one of the most popular in pop music. It’s often used in songs that have a simple, catchy melody and a repetitive chord progression. The I, V, vi, and IV chords are all major chords, which gives the progression a happy or optimistic sound.

This chord progression has been used in many popular songs, including “Let It Be” by the Beatles, “Satisfaction” by the Rolling Stones, “I Can’t Help Falling in Love With You” by Elvis Presley, and “Yesterday” by the Beatles.

I-vi-IV-V
The I-vi-IV-V chord progression is another common one in pop music. It’s often used in ballads and folk songs because it creates a feeling of yearning or nostalgia. The I, vi, IV, and V chords are all major chords except for the vi chord, which is minor. This gives the progression a sadder or more melancholic sound than the I-V-vi-IV progression.

This chord progression has been used in many popular songs, including “Don’t Know Why” by Norah Jones, “Dust in the Wind” by Kansas, “Yesterday” by the Beatles, and “Snuff” by Slipknot.

ii-V-I
The ii-V-I chord progression is common in jazz music. It’s often used to create a sense of tension and resolution. The ii chord is minor, the V chord is major, and the I chord is also major. This gives the progression a sad or wistful sound.

This chord progression has been used in many popular songs, including “My Funny Valentine” by Miles Davis,”Body and Soul” by Coleman Hawkins,”So What” by Miles Davis,”andAll Blues” by Miles Davis.

What is a Chord Progression?

A chord progression is simply a series of chords played one after another. Chord progressions are the foundation of harmony in Western musical tradition from the common practice era of Classical music to the contemporary pop, rock and jazz styles. A chord progression can be thought of as a harmonic “skeleton” that gives a piece of music its overall structure. The exact chords used in a chord progression will usually be determined by the key (the major or minor scale that provides the tonal center or “home base” for a piece). However, once the key is established, the specific chords within that key can be rearranged in endless combinations, producing different progressions with different feels.

The I-V-vi-IV Progression

One of the most common chord progressions in pop music is the I-V-vi-IV progression. This progression starts on the I (one) chord, then moves to the V (five) chord, followed by the vi (six) chord, and finally the IV (four) chord. The I-V-vi-IV progression is found in songs in nearly every genre of music, from pop to rock to country.

The I-V-vi-IV progression is often called the “50s progression” because it was commonly used in 1950s pop music. It’s also sometimes called the “Doo-Wop Progression” because it was used extensively in doo-wop songs of the 1950s and 1960s. The I-V-vi-IV progression has been used in countless hits over the years, including Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love”, The Beatles’ “Let it Be”, Green Day’s “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)”, and Taylor Swift’s “Love Story”.

If you’re just starting out learning about chord progressions, the I-V-vi-IV progression is a great place to start. It’s relatively simple to play and memorize, and it can be used in a huge variety of songs.

The I-vi-ii-V Progression

One of the most common chord progressions in pop music is the I-vi-ii-V progression. This progression is found in countless songs, including “Yesterday” by the Beatles, “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana, “Wake Me Up When September Ends” by Green Day, and “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston.

The I-vi-ii-V progression is made up of four chords: the tonic (I), the submediant (vi), the supertonic (ii), and the dominant (V). This progression can be played in any key, but it is most commonly found in major keys. In the key of C major, for example, the I-vi-ii-V progression would be C-Amin-Dm-G.

This chord progression has a few different names, including the “do anything” progression and the “Leave Your Lover” progression. It is called the “do anything” progression because it can be used for both happy and sad songs; it just depends on how you use it. The “Leave Your Lover” progression gets its name from its use in many break-up songs, such as Adele’s “Someone Like You.”

The I-vi-ii-V progression is one of the most versatile progressions in pop music because it can convey a wide range of emotions. Whether you want to write a happy song or a sad song, this is a great place to start.

The 50s Progression

The 50s Progression is perhaps the most famousProgressions of all time. It was used extensively in the 1950s, and has been used in countless songs since then. The 50s Progression is also known as the doo-wop progression, and is made up of the following chords:

I – vi – IV – V

For example, in the key of C, this would be:

C – Am – F – G

This progression has a very nostalgic feel to it, and is often used in love songs. It’s also very easy to play on the guitar, making it a popular choice for beginner guitarists.

The ii-V-I Progression

The ii-V-I progression is one of the most common progressions in all of music, and it appears in countless songs in a variety of genres. The ii-V-I progression contains three chord changes, which makes it relatively easy to remember and play. In the key of C, the ii-V-I progression would be Dm-G-C.

The ii-V-I progression is so common because it sounds great no matter what genre of music you’re playing. Whether you’re playing rock, pop, country, or jazz, the ii-V-I progression will always sound good. It’s also relatively easy to play, which is why it’s so popular among beginner and intermediate guitarists.

If you’re just starting out on guitar, or if you’re struggling to write your own songs, try using the ii-V-I progression as a starting point. You can use this progression to write entire songs, or you can use it as a foundation for more complex progressions.

The Andalusian Cadence

The Andalusian cadence, also known as the progression of four chords or the Andalusian chord progression, is a sequence of four chords at the end of a section or phrase in tonal music. The chords are typically arranged as I–VI–VII–V (or V7/V–V7–V7–V7), though there are variations. For example, in rock music the progression is often written as II–V–I–VI (or V/IV–V/IV–V/IV–V/IV), while in jazz it may be written as II−♭VII−I−♭VI.

The Backdoor Progression

The Backdoor Progression is a ii-V-I progression that starts on the second scale degree instead of the first. It gets its name from the fact that it “sneaks in” the V chord instead of starting with it. This can make progressions sound more interesting and complex, and it’s a common progression in many styles of music.

To use the Backdoor Progression, simply play a ii-V-I progression starting on the second scale degree instead of the first. For example, in C major, you would start with Dm7-G7-CMaj7. You can use any chords you like as long as they fit within the key you’re playing in.

The Backdoor Progression is a great way to add more interest to your progressions and to take them in new directions. experiment with it and see how you can use it in your own music!

Conclusion

Now that you know some of the most common chord progressions in pop music, you can start using them in your own songs. These progressions will give your songs a familiar sound that listeners will recognize and enjoy. Experiment with different progressions and see what sounds best. With practice, you’ll be able to create catchy, memorable songs that everyone will enjoy.