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Whether you’re just curious about chord progressions as a beginner or if you’re looking to expand your harmonic palette as a songwriter, today’s Quick Tip on The 11 Most Important Piano Chord Progressions has you covered! In this piano tutorial, you’ll discover:

• Intro to Chord Progressions for Piano
  • What is a chord progression?
  • Understanding the Raw Materials of Chord Progressions
• 11 Chord Progressions to Learn on Piano
  • Piano Chord Progressions Chart
• Next Steps: Arranging Chord Progressions for Piano
• Further Exploration: Chord Progressions by Musical Genre

Intro to Chord Progressions for Piano

As musicians, we deal in the medium of sound. In other words, our product is of an aural nature. Therefore, the mental structures that we use to think about and organize sound are very important.

No matter where you are on your musical journey, you probably already know a few terms that musicians use to describe different types of organized sound. For example, a scale represents a hierarchical organization of pitches in a specific key. Similarly, a chord represents multiple pitches sounded together to produce an intentional harmonic color that is either consonant, dissonant or somewhere in between.

The human ear has the amazing capacity to classify and recognize the musical sounds we hear. For example, most listeners can tell the difference between a major scale and a minor scale, even with little or no training.

The study of chord progressions is simply a broader category of aural discrimination. In fact, learning to hear chord progressions by ear is an important endeavor for music students who desire to perform and improvise. Since all songs are comprised of chord progressions, students who understand chord progressions are able to learn songs much faster than others who lack this understanding.

What is a chord progression?

A chord progression is a group of two or more chords in a particular order within the tonal framework of a key. Other names for chord progressions include chord changes or simply “the changes” of a song.

Chord progressions provide the harmonic architecture for a song. Therefore, a simple piano or guitar accompaniment can be created for a familiar melody by playing the specific chord changes that coincide with the song.

Understanding the Raw Materials of Chord Progressions

In music theory, chord progressions are classified using a number system that identifies each chord in relation to the overall key. According to this system, the tonic chord is always represented by the number “one.” Hence, chord progressions are frequently expressed with Roman numerals such as Ⅱ-Ⅴ-Ⅰ, although the Nashville Number System uses common numbers such as 2-5-1.

The number system also effectively communicates chord qualities (major, minor, augmented, diminished, etc.) in a concise manner. You probably noticed in the example above that some of the Roman numerals are combined with abbreviations or special characters. These modifiers are there as a reflection of the chord quality. For example, Ⅱm or Ⅱ– represents a minor 2 chord. Similarly, Ⅶº indicates a diminished triad on the 7th tone of the C major scale. On the other hand, any Roman numeral without such modifiers is assumed to be a major triad. Additionally, we can even indicate 7th chords and chord extensions by adding chord suffixes to Roman numerals, such as Ⅱm⁷ or Ⅴ⁹.

Do all chords in a progression have to come from within the key?

An important point of clarification is that even though the number system expresses harmonic relationships in terms of the overall key, that does not mean that every chord in a song must come from the primary key. Rather, harmonic analysis frequently combines accidentals and numbers together (i.e.: ♯Ⅳ or ♭⁡⁡Ⅱ) to indicate that a chord is built on an altered scale tone. Chords that come from the primary key are called diatonic chords. Conversely, chords that are not native to the key signature are chromatic chords. To learn more about non-diatonic chords, check out our Quick Tip on Modal Interchange: The Complete Guide to Borrowed Chords (Int).

11 Chord Progressions to Learn on Piano

Today’s lesson covers 11 chord progressions that commonly occur in popular songs across several musical genres. These 11 progressions each possess unique sonic characteristics and emotional associations. For example, some progressions are inherently upbeat and happy while others sound more mournful and sad.

As you study this lesson and especially as you play these 11 chord progressions at the piano, you are literally training your brain how to recognize these progressions by ear! Moreover, the act of associating a familiar name with the sound of each progression allows your brain to more easily organize and catalogue this aural information.

Here is the complete list of the chord progressions that we’ll cover in today’s lesson. Each progression will be presented from three perspectives: (1) a fully-arranged piano excerpt of the progression, (2) a simplified breakdown of the progression, and (3) a popular song clip that uses the progression.

After reading through this lesson and listening to the examples, try revisiting this page with a friend or family member. Specifically, have them use the links above to navigate randomly through the progressions and test your ability to recognize these chord progressions by ear!

Alright, we’re ready to check out our first chord progression.

#1: The Power Progression

The Power Progression is a chord progression that commonly occurs in alternative rock and indie music. Artists who write songs in these genres are generally seeking a sound that is more original, eclectic or complex than mainstream pop music. In fact, your ear will probably tell you right away that there is something unique about The Power Progression, which uses the chord sequence Ⅰ–Ⅴm–♭Ⅶ–Ⅳ. That’s because this chord progression comes from the Mixolydian mode, a tonal environment that is similar to a major key, albeit with a bit of unexpected color. Let’s take a listen:

Power Progression Example

In the next example, we have a harmonic breakdown that represents the essential chords of The Power Progression in a more accessible format. This format is included for each progression as a way for beginners to better understand, explore and apply these sounds on the piano.

Power Progression Breakdown

In C, The Power Progression uses the chords C–Gm–B♭–F. While these chords can be played as triads, Jonny generally chooses piano voicings that exude richer and more complex harmonic colors. Therefore, each breakdown example like the one above features the given progression with some of Jonny’s preferred piano color chords.

🔎 For more Mixolydian chord progressions and soloing tips, check out How to Improvise a Solo With the Mixolydian Mode (Int, Adv).

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#2: The John Williams Progression

The John Williams Progression is a commonly occurring chord progression that has a distinctively mournful sound. This progression is named after the legendary film composer John Williams, who memorably used this progression for “Princess Leia’s Theme” in the Star Wars film franchise. The John Williams Progression contains just two chords, Ⅰ–Ⅳm⁶. (The superscript ⁶ is a chord suffix that indicates a sixth chord, or when combined with an “m” as in “m⁶”, a minor sixth chord in particular.) It’s important to note that the tonic chord in this progression is major, while the subdominant chord is minor—a compositional technique known as modal interchange. Since this progression is so short, composers often repeat it once or twice before moving on to another contrasting progression. Let’s take a listen:

John Williams Progression Example

Next, let’s look at a harmonic breakdown of The John Williams Progression. You’ll notice that Jonny likes to add the 9th to the Ⅳm⁶ chord, which makes it an Fm6/9.

John Williams Progression Breakdown

🔎 For more sad chord progressions, check out 5 Sad Piano Chord Progressions (Int).

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#3: The Gospel Progression

The Gospel Progression is chord progression that functions as a vamp that often repeats during the “shout” section of a traditional gospel tune. This chord progression contains just two chords, which are Ⅰ⁷–Ⅳ⁷. Since both chords are dominant 7th chords, this progression has a distinctively bluesy character. In addition to gospel music, this chord progression is found in other genres that are rooted in the African American musical tradition, especially soul music and funk in particular. Let’s take a listen:

Gospel Progression Example

Even though The Gospel Progression example above contains neighbor chord sets in each measure, its overall harmonic structure is based on just two chords. The following harmonic breakdown shows this chord progression in the key of C, which features the chords C⁷–F⁷.

Gospel Progression Breakdown

🔎 For more gospel-tinged funk piano grooves, check out Funk & Smooth Jazz Grooves & Licks (Int, Adv).

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#4: The Pop Progression

The Pop Progression is a chord progression that occurs in hundreds of songs in mainstream pop music and related sub-genres. Popular recording artists gravitate toward this progression to express emotional themes such as loss, sorrow, regret and yearning. The chords in the Pop Progression are Ⅵm–Ⅳ–Ⅰ–Ⅴ. Let’s take a listen:

Pop Progression Example

The next example shows a harmonic breakdown of The Pop Progression. Notice that this progression does not begin on the tonic chord. For example, in C major, the chords for The Pop Progression are Am–F–C–G. Since this progression begins on a minor chord, some musicians prefer to think of the progression in the relative minor key. For instance, the following example can also be understood as a Ⅰm–Ⅵ–Ⅲ–Ⅶ progression in A minor (Hint: think Natural Minor or Aeolian mode). Usually, the broader harmonic context of a complete song clarifies whether this progression is intended to emphasize a major tonality (Ⅵm–Ⅳ–Ⅰ–Ⅴ) or a minor tonality (Ⅰm–Ⅵ–Ⅲ–Ⅶ).

Pop Progression Breakdown

A common variation of The Pop Progression uses the same sequence of chords but begins on the tonic chord of the major key instead. Therefore, in C major, this variation would be C–G–Am–F. Since this alternate version of the Pop Progression begins on a major tonic chord, it evokes a more optimistic or hopeful mood and is squarely in a major key.

🔎 For more pop piano progressions and accompaniment tips, check out Pop & Contemporary Piano Accompaniment Patterns (Beg/Int, Int/Adv).

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#5: The Turnaround Progression

The Turnaround Progression is a chord progression that frequently occurs in jazz music. Perhaps the most representative example of The Turnaround Progression is the diatonic chord sequence Ⅰ▵⁷–Ⅵm⁷–Ⅱm⁷–Ⅴ⁷, which is prominently featured in George and Ira Gershwin’s “I Got Rhythm.” However, there are nearly a dozen common variations of The Turnaround Progression that replace one or more of these diatonic chords with various chord substitutions.

Another variation on The Turnaround Progression is to begin on the minor 2 chord instead, such that the chord sequence becomes Ⅱm⁷–Ⅴ⁷–Ⅰ▵⁷–Ⅵ⁷. When played in this manner, the progression sounds like a 2-5-1 chord progression that simply repeats on itself. In this context, the 6 chord at the end should be played as a dominant 7th quality, which functions as a secondary dominant that resolves when the progression repeats. Let’s take a listen to the Turnaround Progression beginning on the minor 2 chord:

Turnaround Progression Example

The next example shows a harmonic breakdown of The Turnaround Progression in C major. Note, the A7(♭9) chord signals that the progression is about to repeat. Therefore, on the final pass, you would simply play Ⅱm⁷–Ⅴ⁷–Ⅰ▵⁷ and hold the tonic chord (Cmaj7) for two full measures.

Turnaround Progression Breakdown

🔎 To learn more professional jazz piano techniques on the turnaround progression, check out The Amazing Turnaround (Int/Adv).

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#6: The Love Progression

The Love Progression is a chord progression that often appears in many musical genres including contemporary pop, folk and new age music. It is most easily identified by its distinctive bass line, which features descending scale motion from the tonic note all the way down to the 2nd scale degree. Afterward, the bass line leaps up to the 5th scale degree, which prepares the progression to repeat. Let’s take a listen:

Love Progression Example

The next example shows a harmonic analysis of the Love Progression in C major. Here, the descending scale motion in the left hand is plainly visible. Even though the bass line uses the scale tones 1–7–6–5–4–3–2–5, it’s important to note that the corresponding chords are not identical in terms of their Roman numerals. That’s because this progression specifically uses chord inversions to achieve this smooth bass line. The actual chord sequence, without any inversions, would be Ⅰ–Ⅴ–Ⅵm–Ⅰ–Ⅳ–Ⅰ–Ⅱm–Ⅴ. However, if all these chords are played in root position, then the progression is loses some of its aural appeal. Therefore, we can add slash chord notation to the Roman numeral analysis to indicate which chords should be inverted. Hence, the progression becomes Ⅰ–Ⅴ/Ⅶ–Ⅵm–Ⅰ▵⁷/⁤Ⅴ–Ⅳ–Ⅰ/Ⅲ–Ⅱm⁷–Ⅴ⁷. In this context, a Roman numeral to the left of a slash represents a chord, whereas a Roman numeral to the right of a slash represents a bass note only.

Love Progression Breakdown

🔎 To learn how to improvise over The Love Progression, check out The Love Progression Challenge (Beg–Adv).

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#7: The Happy Progression

The Happy Progression is Jonny’s name for a short and catchy diatonic chord progression that often appears in dozens of pop songs. The Happy Progression uses the chords Ⅰ–Ⅰ/Ⅲ–Ⅳ–Ⅱm/V. Let’s take a listen:

Happy Progression Example

The following example shows a simple harmonic breakdown of The Happy Progression. The final chord, shown below as Dm/G, functions as a dominant sus chord and is synonymous with the chord symbol G⁹(sus4).

Happy Progression Breakdown

🔎 To learn how to solo over The Happy Progression, check out Pop Piano Improv Happy Monday (Int/Adv).

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#8: The Sentimental Progression

The Sentimental Progression is a melancholy chord progression that frequently appears in jazz standards and pop music. To identify this progression by ear, listen for an opening minor chord that is followed by a chromatic line that descends by half steps, which is typically in the bass voice. The chords for The Sentimental Progression are Ⅰm–Ⅴ⁷/Ⅶ–Ⅰm/♭Ⅶ–Ⅵø⁷. Let’s take a listen:

Sentimental Progression Example

The following example shows a breakdown of The Sentimental Progression with simple piano chords and their corresponding harmonic analysis.

Sentimental Progression Breakdown

🔎 For accompaniment and improv tips on The Sentimental Progression, check out The Sentimental Progression (Int, Adv).

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#9: The Doo-Wop Progression

The Doo-Wop Progression is a familiar chord progression that is named for its prominent usage in doo wop music of the 1950s. In its most quintessential form, The Doo-Wop Progression uses the chords Ⅰ–Ⅵm–Ⅳ–Ⅴ, as in “Goodnight Sweetheart” (1953) by The Spaniels.⁵ In more contemporary usage, the progression is sometimes adapted in various ways that make it a little less predictable. For instance, in the following example, Jonny plays The Doo-Wop Progression with the chords Ⅰ–Ⅵm⁷–Ⅳ–Ⅰ.

Doo-Wop Progression Example

Next, let’s look at a harmonic breakdown of how Jonny applied The Doo-Wop progression in the previous example. In C major, Jonny plays the chords C(add2)–Am⁷–F▵⁹–C(add2). Jonny’s inclusion of chord extensions in his voicings helps to give his usage a more modern piano sound.

Doo-Wop Progression Breakdown

🔎 For a deep dive on pop accompaniment rhythms and hand coordination, check out Two Hand Coordination Exercises (Beg/Int, Int/Adv).

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#10: The Cycle of 5ths Progression

The Cycle of 5ths Progression is a chord progression that commonly occurs in jazz compositions and occasionally in pop music. The progression is also used as a common practice exercise for jazz musicians because it contains both a major 2-5-1 progression and a minor 2-5-1 progression in related keys. The Cycle of 5ths Progression follows the chord sequence Ⅵm⁷–Ⅱm⁷–Ⅴ⁷–Ⅰ▵⁷–Ⅳ▵⁷–Ⅶø⁷–Ⅲ⁷–Ⅵm⁷. Let’s take a listen:

Cycle of 5ths Progression Example

The next example shows a harmonic breakdown of The Cycle of 5ths progression with root position 7th chords. In C major, the chords are Am⁷–Dm⁷–G⁷–C▵⁷–F▵⁷–Bø⁷–E⁷–Am⁷.

Cycle of 5ths Progression Breakdown

🔎 To explore contrasting accompaniment styles and improv techniques on The Cycle of 5ths Progression, check out Cycle of 5ths in 3 Jazz Styles (Int, Adv).

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#11: The Blues Progression

The Blues Progression is a chord progression that became codified in the early 20th century in the American South and was born out of the experience of African American slavery.⁹ This 12-bar progression is one of the most significant and pervasive song forms in American music. Its usage extends far beyond rural and urban blues styles and can be found in jazz, R&B, funk and rock music. Let’s listen to an example of The Blues Progression in C:

Blues Progression Example

All of the chords in a traditional 12-bar blues are dominant 7th chords. However, modern blues piano voicings can also be played as dominant 9th chords and dominant 13th chords. Here is a harmonic breakdown of the three chords that appear in the previous example:

Blues Progression Breakdown

The chord sequence of the 12-bar blues progression is often structured in three 4-bar phrases as follows:

🔎 Check out The 10-Lesson Blues Challenge (Int, Adv) to learn professional blues piano performance techniques.

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Piano Chord Progression Chart

The following Piano Chord Progression Chart provides a quick, at-a-glance visual reference tool that summarizes The 11 Most Important Piano Chord Progressions that are featured in this lesson.

In the next section, we’ll help you understand the important role that arranging plays in songwriting with chord progressions.

Next Steps: Arranging Chord Progressions for Piano

So far in this lesson, we’ve covered The 11 Most Important Piano Chord Progressions. A solid understanding of these progressions will help you quickly learn songs when playing piano by ear. These chord progressions can also provide helpful building blocks for composing your own songs.

Another important skill for playing chord progressions on piano is to learn some basic concepts about arranging. This is the part of the songwriting process when the raw materials are transformed into a working draft and eventually a finished product. This process involves making decisions about form, style, meter, rhythms, range, texture, voicings and more.

The following PWJ resources will help you discover important piano arranging skills that will make your chord progressions sound better:

• Piano Chord Secrets—11 Mistakes to Avoid (Beg/Int)
• Piano Accompaniment 6 Steps from Beginner to Pro (Int)
• Jazz Piano Chord Voicings – The Complete Guide (Int)
• 4 Piano Styles with 4 Chords (Int)

Further Exploration: Chord Progressions by Musical Genre

It’s important to recognize that some chord progressions have broad musical versatility while others are more stylistically narrow. Since songwriters frequently begin the creative process with a particular genre in mind, these associations play an important role in selecting the best-fit progression for each setting.

The following PWJ resources contains genre-specific chord progressions and arranging techniques that provide useful starting points for songwriting in each style that is represented.

Conclusion

Congratulations, you’ve completed today’s lesson on The 11 Most Important Piano Chord Progressions. As a result, you have discovered important mental categories and concepts that will guide you as a learner and a creator at the piano!

If you enjoyed today’s lesson, then you’ll love the following PWJ resources:

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Sources:

¹ “What Is the Best-Selling Jazz Album of All Time?” BestOfJazz.org, 4 Jan. 2023.

² “Artist: Luis Fonsi.” LatinGrammy.com, Latin Recording Academy.

³ Uitti, Jacob. “Behind the Meaning of the Classic Piano Bar Song, ‘Piano Man’ by Billy Joel.” American Songwriter, 22 Feb. 2023.

⁴ Katersky, Aaron, and Meredith Deliso. “Ed Sheeran Wins Copyright Infringement Lawsuit Involving ‘Thinking Out Loud.’” ABC News, ABC News Network, 4 May 2023.

⁵ Stewart, Earl L. African American Music: An Introduction, Schirmer Books, New York, 1998, p. 214.

⁶ “Artist: Justin Timberlake.” Grammy.com.

⁷ McGlynn, Larry. “Music to the Moon: The Apollo X Music Tape.” Lunar Collections, 13 Apr. 2006.

⁸ Kamp, David. “Music on the Moon: Meet Mickey Kapp, Master of Apollo 11’s Astro-Mixtapes.” Vanity Fair, 14 Dec. 2018.

⁹ “Blues Summary.” Encyclopædia Britannica.

¹⁰ Eldridge, Alison. “Hound Dog.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, inc., 6 Aug. 2024.

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