Progressions by genre
PopRockBluesJazzCountryFolkSoul and R&BPunk and pop punkMetalLo-fi and chillGospel and worshipMinor-key songwriting
How to use a chord progression
- Pick a key that fits your voice. Change the key until the melody sits comfortably, or keep easy shapes and use the capo tip.
- Loop it. Most songs repeat a four-chord progression through a verse or chorus. Press play and hum over it.
- Contrast your sections. Use one progression for the verse and a different one (or the same chords in a new order) for the chorus.
- Find the scale. Send your progression to the scale finder to see which scales to solo or write melodies with.
Why Roman numerals?
Writing progressions as numerals (I, IV, V) instead of chord names (C, F, G) shows the shape of the progression, which sounds the same in every key. That's how session players talk, and it's what the circle of fifths makes easy to see.
Common questions
What is the most common chord progression?
I–V–vi–IV. In C major that's C, G, Am, F. It's behind a huge number of pop and rock hits, from Let It Be to Don't Stop Believin'.
What do the Roman numerals mean?
They number the chords of a key from 1 to 7. Uppercase is a major chord, lowercase is minor and ° is diminished. In C major, I is C, IV is F, V is G and vi is Am. Numerals let one progression work in any key.
How do I change a progression to another key?
Pick a key from the menu and every chord updates. The Roman numerals stay the same; only the chord names change.
Can I combine progressions?
Yes. Add one progression for a verse and another for a chorus. They stack up in your song sketch at the bottom of the screen, where you can play, edit and save them.
Are chord progressions copyrighted?
No. Chord progressions aren't protected by copyright, which is why so many songs share them. Melodies and lyrics are.
Last updated November 14, 2026.