Chord progressions
Original exercises with chord diagrams, strumming patterns and practice tips. From beginner to advanced.
105 progressions
Roots Reggae — Full Band Arrangement in Cm
Roots reggae in a minor key has a weight and gravity that major-key reggae lacks.
First Reggae Skank — Off-Beat Rhythm in A Major
Reggae is built on a single, simple idea: play the chord on the off-beat.
Advanced Montuno — Salsa Piano Voicings Adapted for Guitar in Dm
The montuno is the interlocking rhythmic piano figure that drives salsa, mambo, and …
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.
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 …
First Blues in E — Open-Position 12-Bar
The 12-bar blues in E is the most important progression in American music.
Bossa Nova Morning — Gentle Vamp in D Major
Not every bossa nova piece needs to be harmonically complex.
Jazz-Blues Bebop Turnaround in F
The bebop-inflected blues is the meeting point of two great American traditions.
Ska Off-Beat in G
Ska originated in Jamaica in the late 1950s before evolving into rocksteady and reggae.
Cadencia Española (Phrygian Dominant)
The Phrygian dominant scale (1 b2 3 4 5 b6 b7) gives Spanish and Middle Eastern music …
Grunge Minor (i–bIII–IV)
The grunge and alternative rock sound in three chords.
Gypsy Jazz Manouche in E minor
Gypsy jazz (jazz manouche) was pioneered by Django Reinhardt and uses a distinctive …
Reggae Minor Groove in D minor
Minor-key reggae has a deeper, more mournful quality than its major-key counterpart.
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.
Gentle Pop (I–iii–IV–I)
A soft, warm progression that uses the mediant (iii) chord to create a gentle mel…
Classic Rock I–IV–V
The foundation of rock and roll.