Basic Chord Progressions - Contemporary/Jazz Aural

The I-vi-IV-V progression, and its various permutations, is very common in contemporary music. Familiarising the sound of each of these chords is a good idea. Here are some (but not all) possibilities.

IV V

vi

IV

vi

IV

IV

vi

vi

In a minor key the IV and V chords can be minor chords too though the V is often still major/dominant
Imin Vmin IVmin Imin

IVmin

V7

In a minor key the 6th note is flat, which means our VI chord is now a bVI chord. A major chord is built on this note.
Imin bVI V Imin

13

Imin/bvii

bVI

ii-V based progressions are also common. Here are some examples.
iimi7

17

V7

Imaj7

Imaj7

vimi7

iimi7

V7

21 iiimi7

VI7

iimi7

V7

Chords outside of the previously mentioned formulae are often diatonic to the key/scale
iimi7

23 Imaj7

iiimi7

IVmaj7

V7

vimi7

viimi7(b5)

Imaj7

Passing chords are sometimes used between diatonic chords. Ascending they are often diminished chords
#Idim7

Descending they are often dominant chords. This is called a tritone substitution, as the bII (Db) chord is replacing the V (G) chord.
iimin7

27 Imaj7

iimin7

bII7

Imaj7