As you compose music, you quickly realize that some chords just sound right together, and some don't. The following is a list of the tried-and-true major chord sequences that always sound good when played together:
I chords can appear anywhere in a progression
ii chords lead to I, V, or vii° chords
iii chords lead to I, ii, IV, or vi chords
IV chords lead to I, ii, iii, V, or vii° chords
V chords lead to I or vi chords
vi chords lead to I, ii, iii, IV, or V chords
vii° chords lead to I or iii chords
The minor chords that form good-sounding progressions echo those of the major chords, as shown in the following list:
i chords can appear anywhere in a progression
ii° or ii chords lead to i, iii, V, v, vii°, or VII chords
III or III+ chords lead to i, iv, IV, VI, #vi°, vii°, or VI chords
iv or IV chords lead to i, V, v, vii°, or VII chords
V or v chords lead to i, VI or #vi° chords
VI or #vi° chords lead to i, III, III+, iv, IV, V, v, vii°, or VII chords
vii° or VII chords lead to i chord
