Tools
Chord Progression Player
Choose a common progression such as I–V–vi–IV, ii–V–I or the 12-bar blues, pick a key and a tempo, and the progression player loops it for you. You see each chord with its Roman numeral and diagram while it plays. Use it as a simple backing track for improvising, to practise chord changes, or to try ideas for your own songs.
How to use it
- Choose a progression from the list or type your own Roman numerals.
- Select the key and major or minor mode.
- Set the tempo and the number of beats per chord.
- Press play; the current chord is highlighted.
- Improvise over it using the suggested scale.
Why learn progressions by number
Progressions are patterns of chord functions, not of letter names. Once you know that I–V–vi–IV in C is C–G–Am–F, you also know it in every other key. Roman numerals show this: upper case for major chords (I, IV, V), lower case for minor (ii, iii, vi), ° for diminished.
Progressions to start with
- I–IV–V: the backbone of blues, rock and folk.
- I–V–vi–IV: used in countless pop songs.
- vi–IV–I–V: the same chords starting on the minor chord; it sounds more melancholic.
- ii–V–I: the core of jazz harmony. Try it with seventh chords: ii7–V7–Imaj7.
- 12-bar blues: I–I–I–I, IV–IV–I–I, V–IV–I–V, usually with dominant sevenths.
- i–VII–VI–VII and i–iv–v: common minor-key progressions.
Practice ideas
- Chord changes: play along and switch chords exactly on the beat. Start with four beats per chord, then two.
- Improvise: over a major progression use the major scale or major pentatonic of the key; over a minor one, the natural minor or minor pentatonic.
- Target chord tones: land on the root or third of each chord when it changes.
- Write: loop a progression and hum melodies over it. Record the ones you like.
Related
Read the lessons on chord progressions, diatonic harmony and cadences. Use the key finder to analyse progressions you already know, the metronome for timing, and walk through ii–V–I lines with bass walking ii–V–I.