Printable worksheet
Chord Progression Worksheet (Printable, with Answers)
Printable chord progression worksheet: convert Roman numerals to chord symbols and back, or write progressions on the staff. Answers included.
Chord Progression Worksheet (Printable, with Answers)
Sheet #
Name Date Score /
Answer key
Chord Progression Worksheet (Printable, with Answers) · Sheet #
How to use it
- Pick a task, a key mode and a difficulty.
- Generate a sheet: each question gives a key and a progression.
- Work through each chord: find the scale degree and quality, then name or write it.
- Check with the answer key or print the answer page.
What this exercise practises#
A progression is a sequence of diatonic chords named by Roman numerals. The worksheet has three tasks:
- Numerals to chord symbols: I-V-vi-IV in D major becomes D-A-Bm-G.
- Chord symbols to numerals: the reverse.
- Write chords on the staff: write each chord in root position with the key signature given.
Method#
- Write out the scale of the key (for minor keys also the harmonic minor, with a raised seventh).
- Number the degrees. The numeral tells you which note is the chord root.
- Build the chord in thirds from that root using only notes of the scale. Capital numerals are major, lowercase are minor, ° is diminished. A 7 adds a seventh, maj7 a major seventh and ø7 a half-diminished seventh.
- In minor keys use the raised seventh degree for V and vii°, and the natural seventh for VII.
Difficulty levels#
- Easy: four-chord triad progressions such as I-IV-V-I and I-vi-IV-V (major keys) or i-iv-V-i (minor keys), up to three sharps or flats.
- Medium: three- to six-chord progressions with ii-V-I and iii, vi and vii° chords, up to four sharps or flats.
- Hard: adds progressions with seventh chords (ii7-V7-Imaj7, iiø7-V7-i), up to six sharps or flats in major and five in minor.
Frequently asked questions
What is a chord progression?
A series of chords, usually labelled by Roman numerals so that the same pattern (I-IV-V-I, for example) can be played in any key.
What are the chords of I-vi-IV-V in G major?
G, Em, C, D.
How do I write a progression in a minor key?
Build the chords on the harmonic minor scale for V and vii°, and on the natural minor scale for the others. In A minor, i-iv-V is Am, Dm, E (E-G♯-B).
What does ii-V-I mean?
Supertonic, dominant, tonic. In C major it is Dm, G, C. With sevenths it is Dm7, G7, Cmaj7.
Does this worksheet include secondary dominants?
No. All chords are diatonic to the key, which is the usual first step before studying chromatic harmony.