Step-by-Step examples of each common progression The first thing you’ll need to remember is that for every chord progression, there is a “root note,” also known as the “tonic.” For the purposes of our lesson today, we’re going to use “C” as our root, exploring several chord progressions in this key.ĭownload the Common Chord Progressions Chart Printable PDF (as seen above) What's Next? With time, you’ll be able to recognize these progressions as soon as someone plays the first couple of chords. We’ll start by teaching you a few of the most recognizable ones so you can begin training your fingers and your ears. That is, if you’re able to pick up on the chord progressions themselves. These progressions are standardized and use chords you’re likely familiar with, so learning said basic progressions will grant you the ability to play along to songs you don’t yet know, jam with strangers, and take on some challenging gigs. They’re part of the language of music, the proverbial sentences to the words that we know as individual chords. It’s much more common for songs to group several chords together into guitar chord progressions to develop an interesting sound. Download the Guitar Chord Progressions Chart Printable PDF (as seen above) What are Guitar Chord Progressions?įew chords, no matter how pretty they sound in isolation, are played that way in actual songs.
