Rock Chord Progressions
Rock builds on the blues but freely borrows from modes — Mixolydian (♭VII) for British invasion swagger, Dorian (♭III–IV) for grunge, Aeolian for power-chord metal. The I–IV–V remains the bedrock, but the genre's identity often comes from the borrowed chords that surround it.
Defining characteristics
- →Power chords (root + 5th) and open triads
- →♭VII as a signature borrowed chord
- →12-bar blues structures in rock and roll
- →Anthem progressions (vi–IV–I–V) for stadium rock
- →Suspended chords (sus4) for tension before resolving
Example progressions
Three-chord rock
I – IV – V · E major
EAB
The bedrock of rock and roll — Chuck Berry to The Stooges.
Mixolydian rock
I – ♭VII – IV · D Mixolydian
DCG
"Sweet Home Alabama," "Sympathy for the Devil," countless others.
Stadium anthem
vi – IV – I – V · C major
AmFCG
Big, emotional, instantly recognizable — used by U2, Coldplay, Green Day, and many more.
Songs in this style
Sweet Child O' Mine — Guns N' Roses
D – C – G – D
Wonderwall — Oasis
Em7 – G – Dsus4 – A7sus4
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