4 COMMON CHORD PROGRESSIONS EVERY GUITARIST SHOULD KNOW + Nashville Number System FOR BEGINNERS!

In this lesson, I'm going to teach you the 4 most common chord progressions that you can use to play by ear, write songs, play in any key and more. I'll also show you the Nashville Number System in an easy way, so even as a beginner you can get the most from these easy chord progressions on guitar!

These basic chord progressions are found in thousands of hit songs and practicing them will not only improve your chord switching ability, but also help you begin to build your ear. Being able to play by ear basically entails recognizing chord progressions, and these 4 are a great start as you'll find them all over the place!

Once you can play one of these progressions, you could simply hum a melody and the songwriting process will begin! The possibilities are literally endless, especially once you add in the easy theory that I'm going to teach you, that will allow you to use these progressions in any key. If you've ever wondered what those roman numerals are for, this lesson will show you in an easy-to-understand way that'll give you PRACTICAL knowledge and immediate ability to use what you've learned.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

0:00 - INTRO
1:00 - What Is A Chord Progression?
1:35 - Why Learn Chord Progressions?
3:42 - #1) THE Most Common Progression
5:06 - Difference In "FEEL"
6:16 - Essential Theory: Nashville Number System
11:21 - #2) Doo-wop Progression
13:21 - #3) Country Time!
15:15 - #4) Feelin' Minor
17:12 - Farewell Message

Before we learn any of these incredibly useful progressions, I'd like to answer a couple of questions that you might have.

What is a chord progression?

A chord progression is simply a sequence of chords that sound good together. We can get theoretical, and we do in the video a little bit, but that's really all there is to it.

Why learn chord progressions?

They are the basis for all your favorite songs. And if you want to create your own music, they're an amazing starting point. They're also great for learning how to play by ear. This is one of the most fundamental parts of becoming a solid musician.

Progression 1: G D Em C

The first chord progression that I want to cover is literally the most common. progression. ever. Here is just a short list of songs that you would find using this chord progression:

Journey - Don't Stop Believing
John Denver - Country Roads
James Blunt - You're Beautiful
Jason Mraz - I'm Yours
Elton John - Can You Feel The Love Tonight
Maroon 5 - She Will Be Loved
The Beatles - Let it Be
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Under the Bridge
Bob Marley - No Woman No Cry

Trust me, there are 1000s of popular songs that contain these chords in this sequence!

Now, the difference between all those tunes, is the feel, the speed of the song, the intensity at which you play it and, also, the strumming pattern. Another difference between these songs is the key.

We can play this chord progression in any key - it'll use different chords in each key - but it still has the same signature sound. One of my main focuses in this lesson is to teach you how to change chord progressions from one key to the next, using the Nashville Number System. It's one of the most powerful tools in music. If you ever learn one thing about theory, this should be it.

The three remaining chord progressions are all incredibly useful in their own right.

Progression 2: G Em C D

Ben E. King - Stand By Me
Ed Sheeran - Perfect
David Bowie - Let's Dance
Righteous Brothers - Unchained Melody

Progression 3: E A E B7

Johnny Cash - I Walk The Line
CCR - Down On The Corner
Buddy Holly - Every Day
Chuck Berry - Johnny B. Goode
The Little Mermaid - Kiss The Girl

Progression 4: Am C G D

Green Day - Boulevard of Broken Dreams
The Crannberries - Zombie
The Who - Behind Blue Eyes
Gary Jules - Mad World

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#EasyMusicTheory #MostCommonChordProgressions #GuitarTutorial

[alm]

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[pauljupp]

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[cup-taan]

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[iwmrlvf]

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[muchopomposo.]

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[markstacey]

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[tableken]

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[MustafaBaabad]

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[WhooozYourDaddy]

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[PercyRak]

Thank You for sharing this interesting information on Four Chord progressions. ❤️🎶👍👍👍

[edcrutchfield]

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[drhall]

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[nirmalamarak]

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[cabrown]

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[jimofaotearoa]

Great lesson... I totally understand the concept. I think i'm going to make myself create a chart for the whole shebang... minors, majors, sharps, flats, whatsitdoodles and diminutive diminishing diminished etc... I was playing with the chart and thought 'oh what about B' and worked in out in a heartbeat because I could see the pattern the next one would be in etc... that was an incredible learning moment for me. I realized I can finally see "the pattern" of music.... something I struggled with for a very very very long time. I've know people who pic ked up a guitar played better than my YEARS within three months. I'm an intelligent guy. I'm well aware that I don't even know what i don't even know about life, the universe and but I've always had some kind of Jedi mindblock when it came to understanding music, the patterns behind it all etc .. Now I won't say this video is the single lightbulb moment of it all but it is a damn good video about a damn handy concept peoples. It teaches you a "shortcut" that just by virtue of existing teaches you the theory behind it. Now that is some trick. Worth a subscription for me and a worth for you reader !!!....and forget the likey likey smash.

[garrysmythe]

I have to say, I have played guitar by ear for many years, and you make everything sound so simple and interesting, I found myself watching this entire video even though I already know everything you covered, but your way of explaining it is first class, thanks so much for posting and I will be passing this video link onto people who ask about guitars, tha ks again from GARRY IN THE UK

[marieobrien]

This is the best lesson I've seen . It is explained so well . Thank you so much. Marie in Ireland 67 years old and learning guitar during Covid lockdown

[richardvlleneuve]

Your tutorial is so easy to follow and understand. It's fun to use and I'm
looking forward to trying out a new lesson from your channel. Job really well done.
I just discovered you this evening, but I'll be seeing you again tomorrow morning.
Sincerely

Rich Villeneuve