Ukulele chord progressions to improvise over
The most used progressions, with the chords in two keys that are common on ukulele. Each one is in the app: pick it in the Jam tab and play over the backing track.
Roman numerals give each chord’s degree in the key (I = tonic). That way the same progression works in any key: in C, I–V–vi–IV is C–G–Am–F; in G, it is G–D–Em–C.
Pop (I–V–vi–IV)
The progression behind thousands of pop songs. It sounds resolved and a little nostalgic; the vi adds the minor touch.
- C: C | G | Am | F
- G: G | D | Em | C
50s (I–vi–IV–V)
The 1950s loop of ballads and doo-wop. Good for practicing chord changes in time.
- C: C | Am | F | G
- G: G | Em | C | D
ii–V–I
The most common move in jazz: setup (ii), tension (V7) and resolution (I). Aim for the leading tone of the V7 rising to the tonic.
- C: Dm | G7 | C | C
- G: Am | D7 | G | G
12-bar blues
Twelve bars of three seventh chords. Use the blues scale or the minor pentatonic over it.
- C: C7 | C7 | C7 | C7 | F7 | F7 | C7 | C7 | G7 | F7 | C7 | G7
- G: G7 | G7 | G7 | G7 | C7 | C7 | G7 | G7 | D7 | C7 | G7 | D7
Epic minor (i–VI–III–VII)
An epic-sounding minor loop, common in soundtracks and rock. The minor pentatonic works from start to finish.
- Am: Am | F | C | G
- Em: Em | C | G | D
Andalusian (i–VII–VI–V)
The Andalusian cadence, from flamenco: it walks down to a major V that wants to return home.
- Am: Am | G | F | E
- Em: Em | D | C | B
Dorian groove (i–IV)
Two chords, i and a major IV: the sound of the Dorian mode, funk and soul. Play the Dorian scale and lean on the major 6th.
- Am: Am | D
- Em: Em | A
Turnaround (I–vi | ii–V7)
Two chords per bar, used at the end of sections to loop back. It trains switching targets every two beats.
- C: C Am | Dm G7
- G: G Em | Am D7
Waltz (I–IV–V7–I)
In 3/4, counting 1-2-3. Start your phrases on beat 1 of each bar.
- C: C | F | G7 | C (3/4)
- G: G | C | D7 | G (3/4)
6/8 ballad (I–vi–IV–V)
The same 1950s loop in 6/8, the sway of slow ballads.
- C: C | Am | F | G (6/8)
- G: G | Em | C | D (6/8)
Mixolydian (I–bVII–IV–I)
The bVII instead of the V gives the Mixolydian sound of classic rock. Use the Mixolydian scale.
- C: C | A# | F | C
- G: G | F | C | G