Chord progressions
Original exercises with chord diagrams, strumming patterns and practice tips. From beginner to advanced.
105 progressions
Giant Steps Changes in E♭
Inspired by John Coltrane's 1960 masterpiece, this progression cycles through three ton…
Tritone Substitution Workout — Full Cycle of Fifths
The tritone substitution is jazz harmony's most powerful tool: any dominant 7th chord …
Guaguancó — Afro-Cuban Rumba in D Minor
Guaguancó is one of the three main forms of Cuban rumba (alongside yambú and columbia),…
Advanced Bossa Nova — Extended Harmony in G
João Gilberto's bossa nova guitar style is deceptively simple-looking but technically …
Bossa Nova ii–V–I Cycle in C — Samba Harmônica
The ii–V–I cadence in bossa nova is the fundamental building block of the style.
First Blues in E — Open-Position 12-Bar
The 12-bar blues in E is the most important progression in American music.
Jazz-Blues Bebop Turnaround in F
The bebop-inflected blues is the meeting point of two great American traditions.
Bossa Nova Morning — Gentle Vamp in D Major
Not every bossa nova piece needs to be harmonically complex.
Bach-Style Prelude in C — Broken Chord Arpeggios
Modeled on the harmonic structure of Bach's Prelude No.
Blues Chord-Melody Solo in B♭
Chord-melody style presents melody, harmony, and bass simultaneously from a single …
Cadencia Española (Phrygian Dominant)
The Phrygian dominant scale (1 b2 3 4 5 b6 b7) gives Spanish and Middle Eastern music …
Ska Off-Beat in G
Ska originated in Jamaica in the late 1950s before evolving into rocksteady and reggae.
Jazz Turnaround (iii–VI–ii–V) in C
The jazz turnaround is a four-chord sequence used to lead back to the top of a form.
Gypsy Jazz Manouche in E minor
Gypsy jazz (jazz manouche) was pioneered by Django Reinhardt and uses a distinctive …
Falling Leaves Cycle (Autumn Leaves type) in G minor
Inspired by the harmonic movement of classic jazz standards like Autumn Leaves, this …
Cumbia in G
Cumbia originated on the Caribbean coast of Colombia and has spread throughout La…
Tango Argentino in D minor
Argentine tango guitar (called "tango") features a sharp, staccato attack and dra…
Minor ii–V–i in D minor
The minor ii–V–i is distinct from its major counterpart.
Classic Rock I–IV–V
The foundation of rock and roll.
Double Four-Bar Loop (I–IV–V–IV)
A rock and roll staple: I–IV–V–IV in A major gives you A–D–E–D.