Chord Progressions in E Major

Common progressions in E major

vi-IV-I-V: C#m – A – E – B

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

I-IV-vi-V: E – A – C#m – B

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

I-V-vi-IV: E – B – C#m – A

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

I-IV-V-I: E – A – B – E

Three chords, the backbone of rock and folk. (E = E G# B · A = A C# E · B = B D# F# · E = E G# B)

I-vi-IV-V: E – C#m – A – B

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

ii-V-I: F#m7 – B7 – Emaj7

The most common cadence in jazz, here with seventh chords. (F#m7 = F# A C# E · B7 = B D# F# A · Emaj7 = E G# B D#)

How to practise a progression

1. Play each chord four beats, slowly, and say its name.
2. Loop the progression until you no longer look at your hands.
3. Go faster only once each change sounds clean.