Country Chord Progressions
Country sticks closer to the I–IV–V than almost any other genre, but uses the V7 → I cadence with religious frequency and adds a vi for the wistful turn. Modern country has absorbed pop's vi–IV–I–V, but the bones remain the same.
Defining characteristics
- →I, IV, V, and vi as the core vocabulary
- →V7 dominant (with the b7) at every cadence
- →Walking bass between chord roots
- →Major keys (G, D, A, E) on guitar
- →Train-beat rhythm in classic country
Example progressions
Honky tonk
I – IV – I – V · G major
GCGD
The Hank Williams template — three chords and the truth.
Country ballad
I – V – vi – IV · G major
GDEmC
The pop axis works for country too — used by Garth Brooks, Carrie Underwood, and many others.
Songs in this style
Ring of Fire — Johnny Cash
G – C – D
Friends in Low Places — Garth Brooks
A – D – E
Generate your own country chord progressions
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