Chord Progressions in B Major

Chord progressions to play in B major

I-IV-vi-V: B – E – G#m – F#

A bright loop that keeps moving forward. (B = B D# F# · E = E G# B · G#m = G# B D# · F# = F# A# C#)

I-V-vi-IV: B – F# – G#m – E

The loop behind countless pop choruses. (B = B D# F# · F# = F# A# C# · G#m = G# B D# · E = E G# B)

I-IV-V-I: B – E – F# – B

The first progression most players learn: home, away, back home. (B = B D# F# · E = E G# B · F# = F# A# C# · B = B D# F#)

I-vi-IV-V: B – G#m – E – F#

The classic 1950s doo-wop loop. (B = B D# F# · G#m = G# B D# · E = E G# B · F# = F# A# C#)

ii-V-I: C#m7 – F#7 – Bmaj7

The most common cadence in jazz, here with seventh chords. (C#m7 = C# E G# B · F#7 = F# A# C# E · Bmaj7 = B D# F# A#)

vi-IV-I-V: G#m – E – B – F#

Same four chords as the pop loop, starting on the minor one for a darker feel. (G#m = G# B D# · E = E G# B · B = B D# F# · F# = F# A# C#)

How to practise a progression

1. Count four beats per chord and name it out loud.
2. Repeat the loop until the changes need no thinking.
3. Go faster only once each change sounds clean.