Music Glossary: Progressions and Harmonic Devices category

Mixolydian‑flavored rock/country loop with flat‑seven borrowed from the parallel mixolydian mode. more

Major‑key pop sequence emphasizing mediant lift before pre‑dominant and dominant. Uses the mediant (iii) chord between tonic and subdominant; a bri... more

Classic functional cadence moving tonic→subdominant→dominant→tonic; foundation of blues, rock, and folk. more

Widely known as the “Axis” progression, represented by I–V–vi–IV. This four-chord loop dominates modern pop, rock, and ballad writing. It maintains... more

Evergreen “’50s progression” I–vi–IV–V used in doo‑wop, ballads, and countless pop standards. more

Common pop EDM ballad loop vi–IV–I–V; supports soaring top‑lines and “the drop”. more

Stable minor‑mode groove built on i–♭VII or i–♭VII–♭VI; emphasizes natural minor color. more

Ordering of keys by perfect fifths showing key signatures and common root motion (e.g., ii–V–I). more