Chords at your fingertips

Choose a major key and find four common chord progressions. Numerals describe the roles; chord names follow the key.

Key

Roman numerals count from the scale’s root. Uppercase means major, lowercase means minor, and ° means diminished. In A major, A is I, D is IV, E is V and F♯m is vi.

The seven chords in the key

iiBm

iiiC♯m

IVD

viF♯m

vii°G♯dim

I–V–vi–IV

A → E → F♯m → D

A widely used pop progression. Minor vi adds a different colour before IV.

Notes: A–C♯–E / E–G♯–B / F♯–A–C♯ / D–F♯–A

I–IV–V–I

A → D → E → A

Home, away, tension and home again. Listen especially to V → I.

Notes: A–C♯–E / D–F♯–A / E–G♯–B / A–C♯–E

I–vi–IV–V

A → F♯m → D → E

A classic pop and doo-wop progression with the minor colour of vi.

Notes: A–C♯–E / F♯–A–C♯ / D–F♯–A / E–G♯–B

ii–V–I

Bm → E → A

ii → V → I is a central jazz turnaround. This is a simple triad version; jazz often uses seventh chords.

Notes: B–D–F♯ / E–G♯–B / A–C♯–E

Starting points, not rules. Melody, rhythm and style determine what works. Each chord lasts four beats at 80 BPM here.

Why do these chords fit? →