Piano chord progressions to learn
I–V–vi–IV (pop)
- In C major
- C – G – Am – F
- Right hand (smooth inversions)
- C–E–G → B–D–G → C–E–A → C–F–A
vi–IV–I–V (ballad)
- In C major
- Am – F – C – G
- Right hand (smooth inversions)
- A–C–E → A–C–F → G–C–E → G–B–D
I–vi–IV–V (50s)
- In C major
- C – Am – F – G
- Right hand (smooth inversions)
- C–E–G → C–E–A → C–F–A → B–D–G
I–IV–V (blues, folk, rock)
- In C major
- C – F – G
- Right hand (smooth inversions)
- C–E–G → C–F–A → B–D–G
ii–V–I (jazz)
- In C major
- Dm7 – G7 – Cmaj7
- Right hand (smooth inversions)
- F–A–C–D → F–G–B–D → E–G–B–C
Pachelbel's Canon
- In C major
- C – G – Am – Em – F – C – F – G
- Right hand (smooth inversions)
- Root position first, then connect with inversions
How to play chord progressions on piano
- Left hand: play the root of each chord, as a single note or an octave, low on the keyboard.
- Right hand: play the three chord notes, but choose the inversion closest to the previous chord. From C (C–E–G) to G, play B–D–G instead of jumping up to G–B–D.
- Keep shared notes: C and E stay down from C to Am; only G moves to A.
- Add rhythm: block chords on every beat, then try broken chords (root, fifth, octave, third) for ballads.
- Add colour last: once the shapes feel easy, add 7ths (Cmaj7, Am7) for a softer, jazzier sound.
Same chords, different moods: see our sad, happy and beautiful progressions, all playable on piano.
Play any of these in our free chord progression generator: pick Pop, press play, then hum a melody and it re-harmonises around you.
More chord progressions
Chord progressions by genre and mood: jazz, gospel, neo-soul, rock, house, trap and hip-hop, minor, sad, happy, dark, emotional, beautiful, R&B, country and EDM. To learn why they work, read how to write a hit song.