Three Chord Progressions for Guitar

When you mention three chord progressions for guitar to most people they probably think that it really can't be that simple.

It's really that simple - as simple as "I-IV-V".

The "I-IV-V" chord sequence that is. Otherwise known as a 3 chord progression.

Just try telling Johnny Cash that it can't be that simple.

Yea, I know he's dead, but he is still around. Just look at any music store or online.

Just what is ole Johnny telling us?

Whole careers can be and have been based on three chord progressions for guitar.

A simple 3 chord sequence of the most basic chords in existence.

Buddy Holly, The Beatles, The Kinks, Bob Dylan, Rolling Stones, Elvis Presley, Neil Young and so many more it's flat amazing.

Yours could be too.

All you need to know are 3 chords, "I-IV-V".

So what are these Three chord progressions all about and where do they come from?

They come from the major scale. The 1,4,5 or "I-IV-V" chords of the major scales. Why the 1,4,5 or "I-IV-V" Chords?

I don't know. Probably because they sound great together.

More than one famous musician will tell you. "If it sounds right, it is right."

I hope that is good enough for right now because most people just want to get on with it and play some music.

If your want to learn the music theory behind it there are plenty of places you can learn that. More power to you, I encourage it.

Rock and roll was based on grabbing a guitar and figuring out what sounded good together and it has pretty much worked.

Download these three chord progressions for guitar "I-IV-V" as a free PDF Here!

I've Included in each graphic a scale that show exactly how the 1, 4, 5 or "I-IV-V" chords were determined.

(Note -Since quite a few people hated Roman numerals in school the graphic shows 1, 4, 5 on the major scale.)

"Louie, Louie" and "Wild thing".

First up is the famous 3 chord progression for Louie, Louie.

Wild thing is also a great song to play with this A, D, E chord sequence.

This is an "I-IV-V" 3 chord progression in the key of "A."

Once you get the Chord changes down, try it distortion pedal and apply a tasteful amount of grind.

The second 3 chord progression is the C, F, G - "I-IV-V" chord progression.

So who has used a C, F,G chord sequence?

How about Elvis Presley? Hound Dog.

Next up is the D,G, A chord sequence. Well, who has used that?

Man who hasn't? Blue suede shoes (Elvis Presley)

The three chord 3 chord "I-IV-V" progression in the key of "E" - E, A, B was good enough for Bruce Springsteen to get so bloody rich he could kick back on royalties the rest of his life. Born to Run

Last but certainly not the last one you can learn. (you can figure out three chord progressions for guitar for any chord on the scale)is the G, C, D progression.

It worked really well for Lynyrd Skynyrd “Sweet Home Alabama.”

Man, I don't know about you but I look at how simple these songs are and how famous they are, just think how simple it would be to write a hit song of your own.

Go for it! - It's as simple as 1 4 5.

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