There are certain chord progressions that are frequently employed as foundational tools. They serve to form the framework upon which future compositions can be built.
Avoid becoming set in your ways when exploring other patterns; even small tweaks can transform a chord progression’s sound drastically; for instance, swapping out minor for major can create unique harmonic color and texture.
1-6-4-5 (C-Am-F-G)
The 1-6-4-5 progression is one of the classic guitar chord progressions and can be heard in numerous songs by David Bowie, including Ziggy Stardust. Additionally, rock and pop musicians use it in their music.
This progression moves from tonic to subdominant to dominant and back to tonic with ease, providing a great feel and ease of playback.
Try playing this progression in different keys to hear how it sounds; interval movement gives chord progressions their sound. Additionally, try adding sevenths for an upbeat or funky flair; Stevie Wonder famously did this in some of his songs!
1-5-6-4 (C-G-Am-F)
Diatonic keys offer limited chord options; adding one that does not belong can cause dissonance; however, when skillfully integrated into a composition it may enrich it instead.
This pop music progression often employed by women artists can add an exciting, contemporary sound. This progression uses similar triads as its predecessors but replaces one chord (to G) with a major chord – giving this piece its distinctive look and softening its rigid gravity by softening transition into F. Also known as sensitive female progression.
1-4-7-3 (Am-Dm-G-C)
Acoustic guitar players frequently employ this progression that works across many genres and musical genres. You’ll hear it featured in songs by Jewel, Avril Lavigne and Joan Osborne among many others – plus it can even be used for heavier effects with drop D tuning!
This chord progression is known as a “feminine” progression due to its common usage in pop and female-oriented songs. This upbeat progression works particularly well in surf music, sock hops, rockabilly, and 60’s rock; 7th chords may add extra color. Modulation techniques such as V-i change add another dramatic layer to this progression that gives songs bigger sounding fuller soundscapes than simply moving to next chord of same key progressions.
1-6-3-7 (Am-F-C-G)
Listening to global hits, it becomes apparent that most songs contain an identifiable chord progression, lending each tune its unique sound and stirring up new emotions.
With this guitar chord progression, it is easy to create an upbeat track featuring vocals and an exciting groove. Perfect for dance music, pop songs or country lyrics!
Chords with 7ths add great harmony and color to music, adding dimension. However, you must pay attention to the order of your triads and don’t be afraid to move them around; an octave can even help create power chords; just ensure each chord retains the same root note (G6 to C6) without changing any countup counts (eg G6 to B6)
4-5-1-6 (Dm-E-Am-F)
This progression adds a minor chord to the classic 1-4-5 progression and is extremely prevalent in modern pop and rock songs. With its emotive soundscape, it makes this progression ideal for songs requiring an emotional feel.
These chords are constructed around the scale degrees of C Major, making them suitable for use in any key. Bar chords may provide additional benefits by making it easier to move between keys or experiment with different steps within your progression.
Note that the numbers in the tab represent which frets you must press down in order to play these chords, making it essential that you develop fingering patterns that allow for quick switching between strings with minimal movements.