Chord Progressions in C Major
The key of C Major is built on the C Major scale: C, D, E, F, G, A, B. Its diatonic chords give you everything you need to harmonize a melody — three majors (I, IV, V), three minors (ii, iii, vi), and one diminished (vii°). Most pop, rock, and folk songs in this key never venture outside this set.
The diatonic chords of C Major
The seven chords built from the C Major scale.
Common progressions in C Major
Pop axis in C Major
I – V – vi – IV
The most common four-chord progression in popular music.
50s progression in C Major
I – vi – IV – V
Doo-wop and early rock and roll. Stand By Me, Earth Angel.
ii–V–I in C Major
ii – V – I
The jazz cadence — works equally well in pop choruses.
Three-chord rock in C Major
I – IV – V
Blues, country, rock and roll — all built on this triad.
Relative key
C Major shares the same notes as its relative minor, A Minor. You can borrow chords freely between the two.
Generate progressions in C Major
ChordGen builds custom progressions in any key. Just describe the mood — the AI handles the music theory.
Generate C Major progressions