Chord Progressions in C Major

6 chord progressions in C major

I-V-vi-IV: C – G – Am – F

Four chords that sound right in almost any style. (C = C E G · G = G B D · Am = A C E · F = F A C)

I-IV-V-I: C – F – G – C

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

I-vi-IV-V: C – Am – F – G

A warm, old-fashioned turnaround. (C = C E G · Am = A C E · F = F A C · G = G B D)

ii-V-I: Dm7 – G7 – Cmaj7

Tension, more tension, then home. (Dm7 = D F A C · G7 = G B D F · Cmaj7 = C E G B)

vi-IV-I-V: Am – F – C – G

A moodier way to play the pop loop. (Am = A C E · F = F A C · C = C E G · G = G B D)

I-IV-vi-V: C – F – Am – G

Upbeat and simple, good for strumming. (C = C E G · F = F A C · Am = A C E · G = G B D)

Three steps to learn any of these

1. Play each chord four beats, slowly, and say its name.
2. Loop the progression until you no longer look at your hands.
3. Speed up only when every change is clean.