Why a Cheat Sheet?
Most popular songs reuse a tiny handful of chord progressions. Memorize these 15 patterns in Roman numerals and you will instantly recognize — and play — thousands of songs.
Pop / Rock Progressions
1. I–V–vi–IV (The Axis of Awesome)
The most-used progression in modern pop. Used in "Let It Be," "Don't Stop Believin'," "With or Without You."
In C: C - G - Am - F In G: G - D - Em - C In D: D - A - Bm - G
I-V-vi-IV in C
Loop and feel the most-used progression in pop.
2. vi–IV–I–V
Same chords as #1, different starting point — gives a melancholy lift. Used in "Apologize," "Numb," many ballads.
vi-IV-I-V in C
The 'sad pop' rotation of the axis progression.
3. I–vi–IV–V (50s Doo-Wop)
The classic 1950s ballad sound. "Stand By Me," "Earth Angel," "Heart and Soul."
I-vi-IV-V (50s)
The doo-wop progression.
4. I–IV–V (Rock and Blues)
The simplest, most powerful rock progression. Foundation of rock 'n' roll.
I-IV-V in A
The rock 'n' roll trinity.
Minor-Key Progressions
5. i–♭VII–♭VI–♭VII (Andalusian / Rock Minor)
Dark, dramatic, used everywhere from flamenco to "Stairway to Heaven."
i-♭VII-♭VI-♭VII in Am
The rock minor staple.
6. i–iv–V–i (Harmonic Minor)
The classical minor cadence. The V chord becomes major to give that 'finished' resolution.
i-iv-V-i in Am
Classical and traditional folk feel.
7. i–♭VI–♭III–♭VII (Epic Rock)
Used in countless film scores and anthemic rock — "Don't Stop Believin'" verse, "Numb."
i-♭VI-♭III-♭VII (Am)
Same chords as vi-IV-I-V — context-dependent.
Blues Progressions
8. 12-Bar Blues
| I | I | I | I | | IV | IV | I | I | | V | IV | I | V | In A: | A | A | A | A | D | D | A | A | E | D | A | E |
12-Bar Blues in A
The blues form. Memorize this.
9. Quick-Change Blues
Like #8 but bar 2 goes to IV instead of staying on I.
| I | IV | I | I | IV | IV | I | I | V | IV | I | V |
10. Minor Blues (12-Bar)
| i | i | i | i | iv | iv | i | i | ♭VI | V | i | V |
Jazz Progressions
11. ii–V–I (The Jazz Cadence)
Most important progression in jazz. Used at the end of nearly every standard.
ii-V-I in C
The jazz cadence.
12. I–vi–ii–V (Rhythm Changes A-Section)
The "I Got Rhythm" progression. Foundation for hundreds of bebop tunes.
I-vi-ii-V in C
Jazz rhythm changes A-section.
13. iii–vi–ii–V
A variation that adds the iii chord — smoother voice-leading.
iii-vi-ii-V in C
Smoother jazz turnaround.
Folk / Country Progressions
14. I–IV–I–V
The basic folk and country pattern. Used in countless traditional songs.
I-IV-I-V in G
Folk and country foundation.
15. I–V–IV–V
Country and bluegrass workhorse. Simple, satisfying.
I-V-IV-V in D
Country / bluegrass progression.
How to Practice This Sheet
- Pick one progression per week. Play it in three different keys.
- Loop with a metronome. Get comfortable changing chords smoothly.
- Improvise over each one. Use the matching scale (major scale of the I chord, or minor scale of the i chord).
- Identify them in songs you love. Most songs use one of these 15 patterns.
Next Steps
Add color to these progressions with modal interchange, and learn to communicate them in any key with the Nashville Number System.