Writing your own progressions

Once you know enough chords, the question is: which chords go together? Music theory has a clean answer. The diatonic chords of a key are the seven chords built from that key's scale. They sound natural together because they share the same notes.

The diatonic chords of C major

Build a chord on each note of the C major scale (C, D, E, F, G, A, B):

| Position | Chord | Quality |
| -- | -- | -- |
| I | C | major |
| ii | Dm | minor |
| iii | Em | minor |
| IV | F | major |
| V | G | major |
| vi | Am | minor |
| vii° | Bdim | diminished |

These seven chords are the only chords that fit naturally in the key of C major. You can mix them in any order and it will sound musical.

The pop magic four: I, V, vi, IV

In C: C → G → Am → F.

This is Let It Be, No Woman No Cry, Don't Stop Believing, With or Without You, Someone Like You, and a thousand other songs. Same four chords, different orders, different feels.

In other keys

The same I-V-vi-IV in different keys:

• Key of G: G → D → Em → C
• Key of D: D → A → Bm → G
• Key of A: A → E → F#m → D

Try writing one

Pick a key. Play I → IV. Pause. What chord wants to come next? Try V. Then vi. Then back to I.

Now mix it up. Try I → vi → IV → V. (That's Stand By Me.) Try I → V → IV → I. Try ii → V → I (the jazz move).

The bridge

Most songs have a verse (one progression) and a chorus (another progression) and sometimes a bridge (a third, contrasting progression). A common bridge move: leave the I and start on the IV or vi. Suddenly the song feels like it's in a new place, then snaps back home for the next chorus.

Circle of fifths shortcut

If you're stuck, look at the circle of fifths. Adjacent chords on the circle share most of their notes and sound natural together. The V chord is always one step clockwise from the I.

Next: where to go from here.