Common Progressions
ChordColor includes 16 built-in progressions that cover the most important patterns in Western music — from the ubiquitous I-V-vi-IV ("Let It Be") to the jazz ii-V-I to the blues turnaround, each with famous song examples.
Pop & Rock
I-V-vi-IV (Pop Anthem): The most common progression in modern music. "Let It Be," "No Woman No Cry," "Someone Like You," "With or Without You." The vi chord adds poignancy to what would otherwise be purely bright.
I-vi-IV-V (50s Doo-Wop): "Stand By Me," "Every Breath You Take." Same four chords as the Pop Anthem, just starting from a different point — sweet and nostalgic.
I-IV-V (Classic Rock): The simplest progression — just the three primary-function chords. "La Bamba," "Twist and Shout," "Wild Thing."
vi-IV-I-V (Sad Pop): Starting on vi makes the same four chords feel melancholic. "Numb" (Linkin Park).
Jazz & Classical
ii-V-I (Jazz): The fundamental jazz cadence. "Autumn Leaves," "Fly Me to the Moon." Smooth voice leading from ii to V to I makes this the building block of jazz harmony.
I-V-vi-iii-IV-I-IV-V (Pachelbel's Canon): An 8-chord cycle from 1680 that appears in "Basket Case" (Green Day) and "Don't Look Back in Anger" (Oasis).
Blues & Borrowed Chords
I-IV-I-V (Blues Turnaround): All chords typically played as dominant 7ths. The V in the last bar pulls back to the beginning.
I-III-IV-iv (Creep): The magic is IV to iv — the minor iv chord is borrowed from the parallel minor, and that one-note change creates an aching, bittersweet shift.
I-bIII-bVII-IV (Grunge): Borrows bIII and bVII from the parallel minor for a raw, heavy sound.
In ChordColor
All 16 progressions have dedicated pages at /progression/ with Roman numerals, descriptions, and example songs. Each can be played in any key — select a root to hear the progression transposed automatically.