Piano chord progressions worth learning.

The ubiquitous 'four chord' progression used in countless modern hits.

C

vi - IV - I - V (Sensitive Epic Loop)

A minor-starting variation of the Axis progression, often used for emotional building.

vi - I - V - IV

Minor to major mix loop.

I - vi - IV - V (50s Doo-Wop)

Classic nostalgic progression common in the 1950s.

i - VI - III - VII

Minor pop staple.

I - IV - V (Basic Rock/Folk)

The foundation of thousands of rock, folk, and country songs.

I - V/vii - vi - V

BalladBeginner

Descending bass line movement.

i - VI - iv - V

Moody minor loop.

vi - VII - i

ClassicalBeginner

Oriental-sounding minor resolution.

I - vi - ii - V (Jazz Turnaround)

JazzBeginner

A standard jazz turnaround often used for transitions.

i - bVI - bVII

Heroic minor resolution.

i - VI - VII - i

Epic minor resolution.

vi - IV - ii - V

Moody minor turnaround.

I - IV - vi - V (Modern Pop Variation)

A gentle and emotional major key progression.

I - bVII - IV - I

Classic rock resolution loop.

The Circle Loop (I-V-IV-V-vi-V-IV-V)

Extended pop loop covering most major scale degrees.

IV - V - vi - I

Resolve loop.

i - VII - III - VI

Stepwise minor descent.

I - I/III - IV - V

GospelBeginner

Walking up movement (Gospel).

I - vi - iii - IV

Stable hook movement.

I - V - IV (Classic Rock Loop)

Stones-style foundation for simple rock tracks.

IV - I - V - vi

Pop loop starting on the four chord.

i - v - VI - VII

Ascending minor pattern.

I - iii - vi - IV

BalladBeginner

Stable emotional movement.

I - ii - V - I

ClassicalBeginner

The foundation of all major key music.

i - III - VII - VI

Jumping minor pattern.

vi - V - I - IV

Moody loop with a resolve to the four.

I - vi - IV - iv

GospelBeginner

Amen variation (Gospel).

I - IV - V - IV

Rock standard loop.

vi - IV - V - I

Classic resolution cycle.

i - iv - V

BluesBeginner

Minor blues foundation.

i - iv - VI - i

Moody minor loop.

I - V - IV - vi

Stable pop/rock walk.

I - IV - ii - V

Standard pop turnaround.

I - IV - V - bVII

Mixolydian rock walk.

I - V - vi - iii

Descending pop loop.

vi - iii - IV - I

Downward minor loop.

i - iv - VI - V

Strong minor cadence.

I - ii - V - IV

Folk-style turnaround loop.

I - ii - IV - V

Smooth scalar movement.

i - iv - VII - III

Minor key cycle.

I - IV - bVII - IV

Bluesy rock loop.

IV - I - ii - V

Beginner

Soulful turnaround movement.

I - iii - IV - V

Ascending pop pattern.

I - vi - iii - V

Stable pop movement loop.

V - IV - I - V

Loop starting on the dominant.

iv - i - V - i

ClassicalBeginner

Classical minor cadence.

I - IV - I - V

Simple alternating loop.

I - V - vi - I

Simple resolving loop.

I - ii - iii - IV

Stepwise ascending loop.

i - v - i