Common Chord Progressions

The circle of 5ths (or 4ths counter-clock-wise) should be the same basic format for chord progressions.

The format for the chord progressions within a key takes on the same pattern of the circle of movement from one key to another.

Therefore in the key of A major for example, you take any chord...let's say the 6th chord or F#m ("F Sharp Minor")....

If you wanted to make a very basic 4 chord progression from there, you will follow that 6 chord to a 2 chord....from the 2 chord to a 5 chord...and then from the 5 chord to the 1 chord.  You will give each chord its basic tonal characteristic.  So, here is the example:

F# minor --- B minor -- E major (or make it a dominant 7th chord E7) -- and last but not least A major...

There, a simple way to touch upon 4 chords that blend well together...

It ALL comes from here, so more on HOW TO EXPAND this pattern and make some more interesting sounding chord progressions at a later post :)