Chord progressions in various keys

As a guitarist, you sometimes need guidelines regarding which chords to play together. It's for this purpose a recommendation to know the relationship of chords in different keys, but some suggestion of chord progression could also come handy.

The primary chords are the diatonic chords, which share the notes from a certain scale. In addition, non-diatonic chords that share two of three notes with the diatonic chords will often sound great.

Known songs and the artist is sometimes mentioned after a chord progression. This may make the progression more familiar to you, but it's just lesser parts of the song and mainly for fun.

Chord progressions in the key of C

The key of C is one of the most common keys for a guitarist. One reason is that there are many open chords with unchallenging shapes – with F as a little trickier exception – that can be played together. You can listen to playing examples with sound, however, these are only simple demonstrations.

C – F – G – C
C – Dm – G – C
C – Em – Am – F
C – G – Am – F – G
C – E – Am – D7 – G
C – G/B – Am – F

It's often possible to substitute G7 for G, Em7 for Em and so on. If the sequence doesn't end with a C, it's because it can continue with additional chords or start over again alternatively resolve into an ending C.

Chord progressions in the key of D

The D major is another central key for guitarists. Many well-known songs such as “Bad Moon Rising”, “Summer of ‘69” and “Free Fallin’” goes in his key.

D – A – G – D (“Bad Moon Rising” by J. Fogerty)

D – G – A7 – D

A – Bm – G – D

F#m – Bmsus2 – Bm – A – D

D – Bm7 – Gmaj7 – D6

Non-diatonic chords included

Non-diatonic chords are chords that fit together, but has notes in the chords that doesn't belong to the key. In the key of D, F major is such a chord.

D – F – G – A 

Chord progressions in the key of E

The notes in the standard tuning (E, A, D, G, B, e) coincide to some degree with the key of E, but for chords with G# or C# as root there aren’t plenty of opportunities to find open position fingerings.

E – A – B – E

E – G#m – C#m – A

E – E/G# – B/A – A

The key of E is often used in rock and metal situations; therefore, you could try some of these progressions with power chords.

Non-diatonic chords included

In this key, C major, D major and G major can work in some situations.

E – D – G – A – D

E – A – C – D

E – A – G – B – A – E

Chord progressions in the key of F

The key of F is less favored by guitarists since the I chord (F) is often played as a barre chord and the same thing applies for ii chord (Gm) and IV chord (Bb). Nevertheless, there are some chord progressions worth knowing.

F – Bb – C – F

F – Gm – Bb – C

F – Dm – Gm – Bb

Also worth mention is that besides the typical chord versions, there are additional possibilities for this key by involving voicings.

Non-diatonic chords included

The A chord doesn't belong to the F major key, but can be played in some situations (often as a dominant 7th).

F – Dm – A – Bb – C – F

F – A7 – Dm – Bb

Chord progressions in the key of G

G major is perhaps the most viable of all keys for a guitarist. Especially when playing open chords is this a very convenient key. Many famous songs are composed in this key, some of them are “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door”, “Brown Eyed Girl” and “Wonderful Tonight”. The G major key is also well suitable for country and bluegrass.

G – C – D – G

G – D – C – G

G – D – Am7 – G – D – C (”Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” by B. Dylan)

G – C – G – D7 (”Brown Eyed Girl” by van Morrison)

G – Bm – C – G

G – D/F# – Em – C

Non-diatonic chords included

In this key, B major is a non-diatonic chord that can be used, but often as a dominant 7th.

G – B7 – C – D

Chord progressions in the key of A

The last major key to look on is A. It's definitely a useful key and common in music compositions with the guitar involved. One drawback is that the iii chord (C#m) can’t be played in any easy way as an open chord (except with voicings).

A – D – E – A

A – D – E – D – A  (“Wild Thing” by The Troggs)

A – A/C# – D – E 

Non-diatonic chords included

C# minor can in some occasions be replaced with C# major (or C# dom 7th). Also G# can be replaced with G major.

A - C#7 - F#m - D (“You Got It” by Roy Orbison)

A - E - G - D - A

Chord progressions in the key of Am

Among the minor keys, A and E minor are perhaps the most important and probably the most used minor keys concerning the guitar.

A minor is relative to C major and it means that the same chords can be used for this key.

Am – G – C – F

Am – F – C – G (“The Passenger” by Iggy Pop)

Am – Am/E – F – G

Am – Am11/G (320210) – F – C – G – Am  

Non-diatonic chords included

In this key, D major is a non-diatonic chord that can be used instead of Dm.

Am – D – G – C

Chord progressions in the key of Em

As for its relative key, G major, E minor is used in many famous songs. Three examples are “Heart of Gold”, “The River” and “Come as You Are”.

Em – C – D – G (“Heart of Gold” by N. Young)

Em – G – D – C (“The River” by B. Springsteen and “Come as You Are” by Nirvana)

Non-diatonic chords included

Primarily B7 is a non-diatonic chord that often replace Bm and works well when extra tension is wanted.

Em – Am – B7 – Em

Em7 – G – Dsus4 – Asus4 (“Wonderwall” by Oasis)

See also C minor key and G minor key.

Chord progressions with modal flavour

By involving modes (Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian and Locrian), more progressions can be encountered. The following progressions are partly based on modal scales.

Em – A – C – D (mix of E Dorian and E Minor)

Am – D – F – G (mix of A Dorian and A Minor)

G – F – C – D7 (mix of G Mixolydian and G Major)

 

There are more chords and keys to learn and if you want to go more into depth, see the 500 Guitar Chord Progressions ebook.

See also: Circle of fifths chord progressions.

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