Musical Wonders

Beginners Guide

Introduction to Chord Progressions

Common chord progressions are one of the easiest ways to start songwriting. After writing some lyrics, students can sing them over the top of a chord progression in order to turn those lyrics into a song. We have resources here focused on the most common chord progression in songwriting to get you started.

Download All Chord Progression Handouts
Common Chord Progressions handout

Common Chord Progressions

This handout includes some of the most common chord progressions in all of popular music. Literally thousands of songs have been written with these progressions.

Download Handout
Chords in Each Major Key handout

Chords in Each Major Key

This handout includes the six major and minor chords in each key. These can be used for generating chord progressions or for transposing between keys.

Download Handout

Sample Instrument Handouts

The full set is organized by progression, instrument, and starter key.

Preview for I - IV - V - IV in C - KeyboardI - IV - V - IV in C - KeyboardPreview for I - IV - V - IV in C - GuitarI - IV - V - IV in C - GuitarPreview for I - IV - V - IV in C - UkuleleI - IV - V - IV in C - UkulelePreview for I - IV - V - IV in C - BassI - IV - V - IV in C - Bass

Progressions, Handouts, and Tracks

Open a progression to download its instrument handouts and browse background tracks by style and key.

1. I - V - vi - IV24 tracks
Download 1. I - V - vi - IV HandoutsDownload all I - V - vi - IV Tracks

Anarchy Punk Rock BPM 165

Key of CKey of DKey of G

Angsty Pop 100BPM

Key of CKey of DKey of G

Country Wasteland 140BPM

Key of CKey of DKey of G

Pop Ballad 12 8 BPM 65

Key of CKey of DKey of G

Pop Ballad 65BPM

Key of CKey of DKey of G

Rock Ballad 85BPM

Key of CKey of DKey of G

Soul Funk BPM 85

Key of CKey of DKey of G

Uplifting Rock 120 BPM

Key of CKey of DKey of G
2. I - IV - V - IV24 tracks
Download 2. I - IV - V - IV HandoutsDownload all I - IV - V - IV Tracks

Anarchy Punk Rock BPM 165

Key of CKey of DKey of G

Angsty Pop 100BPM

Key of CKey of DKey of G

Country Wasteland 140BPM

Key of CKey of DKey of G

Pop Ballad 12 8 BPM 65

Key of CKey of DKey of G

Pop Ballad 65BPM

Key of CKey of DKey of G

Rock Ballad 85BPM

Key of CKey of DKey of G

Soul Funk BPM 85

Key of CKey of DKey of G

Uplifting Rock 120 BPM

Key of CKey of DKey of G
3. I - vi - IV - V24 tracks
Download 3. I - vi - IV - V HandoutsDownload all I - vi - IV - V Tracks

Anarchy Punk Rock BPM 165

Key of CKey of DKey of G

Angsty Pop 100BPM

Key of CKey of DKey of G

Country Wasteland 140BPM

Key of CKey of DKey of G

Pop Ballad 12 8 BPM 65

Key of CKey of DKey of G

Pop Ballad 65BPM

Key of CKey of DKey of G

Rock Ballad 85BPM

Key of CKey of DKey of G

Soul Funk BPM 85

Key of CKey of DKey of G

Uplifting Rock 120 BPM

Key of CKey of DKey of G
4. ii - IV - I - V24 tracks
Download 4. ii - IV - I - V HandoutsDownload all ii - IV - I - V Tracks

Anarchy Punk Rock BPM 165

Key of CKey of DKey of G

Angsty Pop 100BPM

Key of CKey of DKey of G

Country Wasteland 140BPM

Key of CKey of DKey of G

Pop Ballad 12 8 BPM 65

Key of CKey of DKey of G

Pop Ballad 65BPM

Key of CKey of DKey of G

Rock Ballad 85BPM

Key of CKey of DKey of G

Soul Funk BPM 85

Key of CKey of DKey of G

Uplifting Rock 120 BPM

Key of CKey of DKey of G
5. vi - IV - I - V24 tracks
Download 5. vi - IV - I - V HandoutsDownload all vi - IV - I - V Tracks

Anarchy Punk Rock BPM 165

Key of CKey of DKey of G

Angsty Pop 100BPM

Key of CKey of DKey of G

Country Wasteland 140BPM

Key of CKey of DKey of G

Pop Ballad 12 8 BPM 65

Key of CKey of DKey of G

Pop Ballad 65BPM

Key of CKey of DKey of G

Rock Ballad 85BPM

Key of CKey of DKey of G

Soul Funk BPM 85

Key of CKey of DKey of G

Uplifting Rock 120 BPM

Key of CKey of DKey of G
6. IV - iii - ii - I24 tracks
Download 6. IV - iii - ii - I HandoutsDownload all IV - iii - ii - I Tracks

Anarchy Punk Rock BPM 165

Key of CKey of DKey of G

Angsty Pop 100BPM

Key of CKey of DKey of G

Country Wasteland 140BPM

Key of CKey of DKey of G

Pop Ballad 12 8 BPM 65

Key of CKey of DKey of G

Pop Ballad 65BPM

Key of CKey of DKey of G

Rock Ballad 85BPM

Key of CKey of DKey of G

Soul Funk BPM 85

Key of CKey of DKey of G

Uplifting Rock 120 BPM

Key of CKey of DKey of G
7. ii - V - I - vi24 tracks
Download 7. ii - V - I - vi HandoutsDownload all ii - V - I - vi Tracks

Anarchy Punk Rock BPM 165

Key of CKey of DKey of G

Angsty Pop 100BPM

Key of CKey of DKey of G

Country Wasteland 140BPM

Key of CKey of DKey of G

Pop Ballad 12 8 BPM 65

Key of CKey of DKey of G

Pop Ballad 65BPM

Key of CKey of DKey of G

Rock Ballad 85BPM

Key of CKey of DKey of G

Soul Funk BPM 85

Key of CKey of DKey of G

Uplifting Rock 120 BPM

Key of CKey of DKey of G
8. I - vi - ii - V24 tracks
Download 8. I - vi - ii - V HandoutsDownload all I - vi - ii - V Tracks

Anarchy Punk Rock BPM 165

Key of CKey of DKey of G

Angsty Pop 100BPM

Key of CKey of DKey of G

Country Wasteland 140BPM

Key of CKey of DKey of G

Pop Ballad 12 8 BPM 65

Key of CKey of DKey of G

Pop Ballad 65BPM

Key of CKey of DKey of G

Rock Ballad 85BPM

Key of CKey of DKey of G

Soul Funk BPM 85

Key of CKey of DKey of G

Uplifting Rock 120 BPM

Key of CKey of DKey of G

Related Chord Resources

Use these alongside the progression handouts when students need chord tones, transposition support, or additional theory help.