C · I
C · E · G
Progressions
Progressions
Learn a few useful chord movements in C first. Yellow is each chord's root; mint is the rest of the chord.
How to use this page
Play the roots, then the full chords
Start with your left hand on the yellow roots. Add the pictured triads in your right hand only when the order feels comfortable.
First loop
C → G → Am → F. Play four slow, even rounds.
Starter progression
I–V–vi–IV in C
C → G → Am → F. Hear major, minor, and return-home movement in one loop.
G · V
G · B · D
Am · vi
A · C · E
F · IV
F · A · C
Three-chord songs
I–IV–V in C
C → F → G. Practice clean changes between the three major chords that drive many songs.
C · I
C · E · G
F · IV
F · A · C
G · V
G · B · D
Later, but useful
ii–V–I in C
Dm → G → C. Hear “setup → tension → home” before worrying about speed.
Dm · ii
D · F · A
G · V
G · B · D
C · I
C · E · G
Blues starter
12-bar blues in C
C7 · F7 · C7 · C7 · F7 · F7 · C7 · C7 · G7 · F7 · C7 · G7
For now, play just the roots in your left hand. The next step is adding dominant-seventh voicings and a steady blues rhythm.