Music has the power to stir emotions and nothing tugs at the heartstrings quite like sad chord progressions on the piano. Whether you’re composing your own piece or learning classics, these sad piano chords will help you create that wistful, nostalgic or melancholic feel you’re looking for. Below, we explore ten must know sad chord progressions. You can easily learn famous songs that use these iconic progressions with the help of the Skoove app and our helpful chord charts. Let’s dive in!
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VI – ii – V- i : Autumn Leaves – Joseph Kosma
One of the most well-known sad chord progressions on piano, this sequence creates a deep, haunting atmosphere. It moves through a cycle of fourths progression, between major and minor chords, adding harmonic tension that resolves beautifully. This progression is widely used in both jazz and classical music.
Progression: VI^7 – ii7 – V7 – i7
Why it’s so emotional?: This progression is characteristic of jazz standards and ballads, such as Autumn Leaves and All The Things You Are, adding a sense of longing and melancholy. Chord inversions can make this chord progression sound even richer.
ii7 – iv – V7 – i – iii: Alone Again Naturally – Gilbert O’Sullivan
Alone Again Naturally by Gilbert O’Sullivan is a great song if you’re looking to explore some of the saddest chords. This chord progression creates a poignant, storytelling feel. It’s often used in introspective and emotional ballads, evoking a deep sense of melancholy.
Progression: ii7 – iv – V7 – i – iii
Why it’s so emotional?: The minor ii7 chord followed by a iv creates a sense of yearning, while the V7 leading into the tonic resolution adds depth followed by an interesting example of modal interchange. This is one of the saddest chord progressions, often used in heartfelt, introspective songs such as this one.
i – iv – VI – V : Back to Black – Amy Winehouse
This classic sad minor chord progression is a staple in soulful, expressive music. It captures a raw emotional intensity, making it a favorite for deeply personal compositions.
Progression: i – iv – VI – V
Why it’s so emotional?: This combination of sad piano chord progressions emphasizes the transition between major and minor chords, intensifying the melancholy. The VI chord adds an unexpected shift in the cyclical chord progression, making it sound bittersweet and deeply expressive, as heard in Back to Black.
i – III – IV – VI : House Of the Rising Sun – The Animals
This classic minor key progression is widely recognized. It has a rising quality that enhances its emotional depth. The use of a major IV chord in a minor context has a strikingly beautiful effect.
Progression: i – III – IV – VI
Why it’s so emotional?: This minor key progression has an upward-pushing feel. The major IV chord gives it some extra flavor. Ordinarily, the chord built on the fourth degree of the natural minor scale should be minor; this modal diversion gives this progression its own unique sound.
VI – VII – v – i : Sakura – Naotaro Moriyama
A commonly used progression in J-pop and J-rock, this sequence carries a distinct sense of emotional movement, making it perfect for dramatic, sentimental melodies.
Progression: VI–VII–v–i
Why it’s so emotional?: Also known as the ‘Royal Road Progression’, this sad chord progression creates a dreamlike emotional journey. The delayed resolution makes it feel winding and reflective, perfect for evoking bittersweet nostalgia.
I – vii7 – III7 – vi – vi/V : Yesterday – The Beatles
This iconic progression blends major and minor harmonies, capturing an unmistakable sense of nostalgia and longing. This is a must know for any musician who wants to learn sad song chord progressions.
Progression: I – vii7 – III7 – vi – vi/V
Why it’s so emotional?: A beautifully crafted melancholic chord progression, this sequence moves between major and minor chords, heightening the emotional impact. The use of the minor sevenths and a secondary dominant creates a longing and wistful feel, characteristic of Yesterday’s timeless feeling of sadness.
vi – IV – V – iii : Let Her Go – Passenger
This emotional progression is widely recognized for its melancholic yet soothing feel, making it a go to choice for sentimental ballads. It’s a standout as one of the more sad major chord progressions alluding to the iii chord that creates its deceptive minor feel.
Progression: vi – IV – V – iii
Why it’s so emotional?: This recognizable sad song chord progression offers a deeply melancholic and yearning sound. The descending bassline effect in this sequence enhances its sorrowful tone.
i- VI – ii – V : Moonlight Sonata – Ludwing Van Beethoven
This timeless classical piece relies on this progression to create a deeply introspective and brooding mood. This progression is the backbone of one of the most famous and widely listened to classical pieces of all time.
Progression: i – VI – ii – V
Why it’s so emotional?: Moonlight Sonata is a masterclass in sad minor chord progressions. The beautiful voice leading creates a brooding, hypnotic feel, making it one of the most famous examples of melancholic chord progressions in classical music.
i – VII – iv – V : Shape of My Heart – Sting
A hauntingly beautiful sequence, this progression creates a reflective and deeply evocative musical experience. This progression achieves a profound emotional impact, especially in Shape of My Heart.
Progression: i – VII – iv – V
Why it’s so emotional?: The descending bass motion combined with Sting’s introspective lyrics conveys a deep sense of contemplation and unresolved emotions. The harmonic tension lingers, making the listener feel a sense of longing and mystery, which perfectly complements the song’s storytelling style.
III – VI – VII – i – VI – VII – V7 – i : Hallelujah – Leonard Cohen
One of the most widely recognized sad progressions, this sequence shifts between major and minor harmonies, creating a powerful and deeply moving effect. Cohen’s use of these sad piano chord progressions enhances the song’s raw vulnerability, making it one of the most emotionally stirring pieces ever written.
Progression: III – VI – VII – i – VI – VII – V7 – i
Why it’s so emotional?: The transition between major and minor chords mirrors the song’s themes of struggle, faith and sorrow. The lingering V7 chord before the i resolution leaves a feeling of longing, echoing the bittersweet tone of the lyrics.
Learn to play these chord progressions
Sad chord progressions are a great way to put your knowledge of piano chords to the test. To understand these chord symbols and how to play them, check out Skoove’s tailor-made beginner chord progression courses.
Conclusion
Sad chord progressions have an undeniable power to move listeners, evoking feelings of nostalgia, longing and deep emotion. Whether through the unresolved tension of a minor chord, the surprise shift from major to minor, or the cyclical patterns of melancholic chord progressions, these sequences have shaped some of the most iconic and moving music ever composed. By mastering these progressions, you’ll enhance your ability to express emotions through the piano, creating pieces that truly connect with listeners.
Whether you’re playing timeless classics or composing your own sad piano chord progressions, let Skoove guide you through the intricacies of these beautiful harmonies. Start exploring today and bring new emotional depth to your music!
Author of this blog post:
Susana Pérez Posada
With over seven years of piano education and a deep passion for music therapy, Susana brings a unique blend of expertise to Skoove. A graduate in Music Therapy from SRH Hochschule Heidelberg and an experienced classical pianist from Universidad EAFIT, she infuses her teaching with a holistic approach that transcends traditional piano lessons. Susana’s writings for Skoove combine her rich musical knowledge with engaging storytelling, enriching the learning experience for pianists of all levels. Away from the piano, she loves exploring new places and immersing herself in a good book, believing these diverse experiences enhance her creative teaching style.
Published by Lydia Ogn from the Skoove team
