Understanding Guitar Chord Progressions: The Foundation of Music for Guitarists

Sure, ripping a solo in your bedroom can be exhilarating, but to truly create music, that solo needs context. And what provides context to melodies and rhythms? Harmony, built upon Guitar Chord Progressions.

Whether you’re just starting out on guitar or consider yourself an advanced player, understanding guitar chord progressions is fundamental to expressing yourself musically. They are the building blocks of countless songs across genres, and mastering them will unlock a deeper understanding of music and vastly improve your guitar playing.

In this article, we will explore:

Nine common guitar chord progressions and popular songs that utilize them.
Four essential chord shapes that will enable you to play these progressions.
The importance of learning and understanding Roman numerals in music theory.

Essential Guitar Chord Shapes to Get You Started

Learning just four basic chord shapes can unlock a surprising number of songs. In fact, mastering the chords C, D, G, and Em will give you access to a huge portion of popular music.

Here are simple and effective voicings for these essential chords:

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If you’re new to chord diagrams, you might find our guide on how to read guitar chord diagrams helpful. It will break down the visual language of chord charts and get you playing quickly.

You can already use three of these chords – G, D, and C – to play many classic songs. Experiment and you’ll be surprised at how much music you can create with just these shapes!

What Exactly is a Guitar Chord Progression?

At its core, a guitar chord progression is simply a sequence of chords played one after another, often repeating in a loop.

A single chord repeated is often referred to as a “vamp”.
Two or more chords create a chord progression.
Repeating this progression forms a musical phrase, a song section, or even the entire song structure.

Think of Jason Mraz’s hit song “I’m Yours.” The song’s harmonic foundation is built on a repeating four-chord guitar chord progression. Listen closely and notice how the melody and lyrics evolve over this consistent harmonic backdrop.

It’s amazing how much musical mileage you can get from a few well-chosen guitar chords, isn’t it?

Notating Guitar Chord Progressions

There are two primary methods for writing down guitar chord progressions:

Using chord names (like C, Dm, G7, etc.).
Employing Roman numerals (I, ii, V, etc.), a system from music theory.

Let’s start with chord names, as they are more immediately accessible for many guitarists. Using “I’m Yours” again, here’s its guitar chord progression written using chord names:

G – D – Em – C

This notation tells you to play a G major chord, then a D major, followed by an E minor, and finally a C major chord. Repeating this sequence creates the harmonic foundation of the song.

Important Note: To play along with the original recording of “I’m Yours,” you’ll need to use a capo on the 4th fret. Without a capo, the chords would be B – F# – G#m – E, a bit more challenging in open position!

To understand more about capos and their uses, check out this article on what a capo is good for.

Understanding Chord Duration in Progressions

Sometimes, you’ll find guitar chord progressions written with rhythm notation alongside chord names. This provides more detail about how long to hold each chord.

Numbers at the beginning indicate the time signature, and vertical lines represent measures, showing when chord changes occur.

Example 1:

4/4 ||: G | D | Em | C :||

4/4 time signature means each measure contains four beats, and a quarter note receives one beat. So, you play each chord for four beats.
The ||: :|| symbols indicate a repeat – play the progression and then repeat it from the beginning.

Example 2:

3/4 ||: G | D | % | C :||

3/4 time signature means three beats per measure, with a quarter note getting one beat. Each chord is held for three beats.
The % symbol means “repeat the previous measure’s chord.” In this case, after playing D for three beats, you hold the D chord for another three beats.

Utilizing Lead Sheets for Chord Progressions

Lead sheets are a more comprehensive way to notate songs, including guitar chord progressions. They are an industry-standard format for musicians.

Lead sheets are the professional way to communicate song information.
They include the song title, composer, and lyricist at the top.
Style and tempo markings come next.
Chord symbols provide the harmonic outline for instrumentalists.
Melody and lyrics are written below the chords.
Repeat signs (:||) and section letters (A, B, etc.) indicate the song’s structure or form.

The Power of Roman Numerals in Chord Progressions

Roman numerals are part of a numerical system developed by musicians to communicate musical ideas effectively. Understanding Roman numerals is a crucial tool for analyzing, transposing, playing, and writing guitar chord progressions.

Here’s how Roman numerals function in music theory:

Learn the seven chords inherent to the key of C major and their order: C major, D minor, E minor, F major, G major, A minor, B diminished.
Assign each chord a Roman numeral from I to VII. (C = I, Dm = ii, Em = iii, F = IV, G = V, Am = vi, Bdim = vii°). Lowercase numerals typically denote minor chords, and diminished chords often have a “°” symbol.

Now, when you encounter a guitar chord progression written in Roman numerals, you can translate it into actual chords in any key.

For example, the progression I – IV – V translates to:

C – F – G in the key of C Major
G – C – D in the key of G Major
A – D – E in the key of A Major, and so on.

Roman numerals also allow you to easily transpose a chord progression that might be challenging in one key to a more comfortable key.

For instance, if you see the progression F# – A#m – C# – which might be written as I – vi – IV in the key of F# Major
You can easily transpose it to the key of G major as G – Em – C, maintaining the same relationships between the chords.

Delve deeper into the world of Roman numerals with insights from guitarist and producer Jude Smith in this video:

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Songs You Can Play With Four Open Chords: G, D, Em, and C

Many songs primarily use chords from a single musical key. This simplifies songwriting and often ensures a harmonically pleasing guitar chord progression. We can further simplify by focusing on the most essential chords within a key.

In the key of G major, these core chords are:

G (the I chord)
C (the IV chord)
D (the V chord)
Em (the vi chord)

Below are some of the most popular ways these chords are combined into guitar chord progressions. While not all song examples are originally in G major, you can use a capo to transpose them into the key of G and utilize these open chord shapes.

I-IV-V Progression

This foundational guitar chord progression is almost synonymous with the blues and is prevalent across numerous genres.

Often used in verses or choruses, the I-IV-V progression is most famously structured in the 12-bar blues form:

You can hear this classic guitar chord progression in songs like:

“Johnny B. Goode” by Chuck Berry
“La Bamba” by Ritchie Valens
“Hound Dog” by Elvis Presley

I-V-vi-IV Progression

This is a ubiquitous guitar chord progression in popular music, the backbone of countless hits. Some songs are built entirely around this “magic” combination, while others use it for specific sections.

Examples include:

“Let It Be” by The Beatles
“Don’t Stop Believin'” by Journey
“Someone Like You” by Adele

As the Axis of Awesome comedy group famously demonstrated, countless songs across various keys utilize this progression:

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I-vi-IV-V Progression

Using the same chords but in a different order creates another popular guitar chord progression. This sequence was particularly prominent in the 1950s and 60s, and its appeal continues to this day.

Examples include:

“Stand By Me” by Ben E. King
“Every Breath You Take” by The Police
“Love Story” by Taylor Swift
“No One” by Alicia Keys

vi-IV-I-V Progression

Yet another variation using the same core chords! By now, you can see how rearranging a few chords can generate different feels and musical ideas. Crafting your own guitar chord progressions is more accessible than you might think!

Songs using this progression include:

“With or Without You” by U2
“Wonderwall” by Oasis
“Hey Ya!” by Outkast

ii-V-I Progression

Stepping slightly beyond the four basic chords, the ii-V-I is a cornerstone guitar chord progression, particularly in jazz and related genres. It’s a sophisticated and satisfying harmonic movement found in countless jazz standards.

The ii-V-I progression can appear multiple times and in different keys within a single jazz piece, demonstrating its versatility. Playing it without barre chords is easiest in the key of C:

Dm (ii)
G (V)
C (I)

Here’s a common D minor chord shape:

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Exploring Guitar Chord Progressions in Rock, Neo-Soul, and R&B

Moving beyond the common four-chord progressions, let’s examine examples from other genres. These may include chord symbols that introduce more advanced harmonic concepts.

Neo-Soul: ii9 – ii9/V – vi – bIII13

Example: “Brown Sugar” by D’Angelo

For a deeper dive into this genre, explore our article on neo-soul chord progressions for guitarists.

R&B: iii – ii and IV – iii – ii

Example: “Doo-Wop (That Thing)” by Lauryn Hill

Rock: I – V – vi – iii – IV – I – V

Example: “Basket Case” by Green Day

Punk: i – bVI – i/V – V7

Example: “All Torn Down” by The Living End

Deciphering Guitar Chord Progression Symbols

Some chord symbols are straightforward (like C or Gm), while others appear more complex. We’ve already covered Roman numerals for chords within a major key. But what about minor keys or chords outside the song’s key?

Each chord in a song is defined by its relationship to the song’s key center or to neighboring chords.

For instance, in the key of A minor, the C major chord is the bIII (flat third).
The “b” (flat) or “#” (sharp) symbol placed before a Roman numeral indicates a chromatic alteration of the chord’s root.

Secondary Dominants Explained

Sometimes, notating chords relative to their neighbors is more intuitive, particularly with secondary dominants.

Consider this progression from Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah”: C – F – G – Am – F – G – E7 – Am.

Most chords fit within the key of C major, except for the E7. While we could label it as III7, it’s more musically informative to identify it as the V7 of vi (V7 of Am). E is the dominant (V) of A, and the E7 chord functions as a secondary dominant, creating a strong pull towards the Am chord that follows.

Beyond Basic Chord Qualities

Other chord qualities you might encounter in music notation include:

Half-diminished chords: indicated by “m7b5” (e.g., Bm7b5, viim7b5).
Diminished chords: indicated by “°” or “dim” (e.g., B°, vi°).
Augmented chords: indicated by “+” or “aug” (e.g., C+, I+).
Chord extensions: indicated by numbers beyond 7 (e.g., Em9, iiim9).

Stylistic variations exist in Roman numeral notation. Lowercase Roman numerals are sometimes used to denote minor and diminished chords (e.g., ii instead of IIm).

Both of these notations represent the same scale degrees:

I – ii – iii – IV – V – vi – vii°
I – IIm – IIIm – IV – V – VIm – VIIm7b5

Understanding these variations and symbols will expand your ability to read and interpret guitar chord progressions in diverse musical contexts.

Writing Your Own Guitar Chord Progressions

With a grasp of common progressions and chord symbols, creating your own guitar chord progressions becomes achievable.

Choose a key and identify the chords within that key.
Experiment with combining these chords.
Draw inspiration from popular progressions discussed earlier, or trust your ear to guide you to pleasing sequences.
Select a tempo and strumming pattern to bring your progression to life.

Don’t worry about “stealing” chord progressions. Copyright law protects melodies and lyrics, not chord sequences. The unique character of a song arises from its melody, rhythm, lyrics, and overall arrangement.

Conclusion: Chord Progressions – Your Musical Toolkit

For beginner guitarists, focusing on mastering the chords G, C, D, and Em is an excellent starting point. These chords form the basis of incredibly common and effective guitar chord progressions in contemporary music:

I-IV-V (G – C – D)
I-V-vi-IV (G – D – Em – C)
I-vi-IV-V (G – Em – C – D)

Learning the Roman numeral system and how to translate between Roman numerals and chord names is invaluable for musical understanding and communication.

Lead sheets are the professional standard for notating songs, including chords, melody, and lyrics. For quickly jotting down a guitar chord progression, simple chord names separated by dashes often suffice.

To deepen your knowledge of writing and analyzing guitar chord progressions, consider signing up for a free 14-day trial at Pickup Music.

Our Music Theory Learning Pathway offers a structured course with daily lessons and assignments, directly relating music theory concepts to the guitar for immediate practical application.

Author: Julia Mahncke

Julia Mahncke is a journalist and musician based in Pittsburgh, PA. Holding a degree in musicology from the University of Bonn and a guitar performance degree from the University of Oregon, Julia is a skilled guitarist with a knack for communicating musical concepts in a straightfoward manner.

She has written, recorded, and performed music as a solo artist, as part of a duo, and as the lead guitarist for the band Meeping. With hundreds of shows under her belt, Julia plays bass in various projects, enjoys participating in jam sessions in Pittsburgh, and remains active as a singer-songwriter.

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