Progressions

Pop Progression

I – V – vi – IV

The axis behind hundreds of pop songs across five decades.

Classic Cadence

I – IV – V – I

The most fundamental progression in tonal music — folk, rock, blues, classical.

'50s Progression

I – vi – IV – V

Doo-wop, early rock and roll, and countless ballads.

Jazz Turnaround

ii – V – I

The backbone of jazz harmony — creates strong, satisfying resolution.

Circle Progression

vi – ii – V – I

Chords descending by fifths — borrowed from the Circle of Fifths.

Andalusian Cadence

i – ♭VII – ♭VI – V

Descending, dramatic, with a flamenco and film-score flavour.

Ascending Mediant

I – iii – IV – V

Stepwise ascending bass — gives a sense of lift and anticipation.

Natural Minor

i – iv – V – i

Dark and resolved — the tonic minor with a dominant-function V.