InsightsChord Patterns

Chord Patterns

Recurring chord progressions shared between Beatles songs. Patterns are detected at three levels of abstraction - from key-independent roman numerals to exact chord names. Denominator is 217 songs with chord data.

Degree(723)Shape(1036)Literal(1057)

2816 patterns total

See harmony evolution over time →See key distribution →

Degree Patterns(723)

Roman numeral patterns relative to the song's key (e.g. I-IV-V-I). Matches regardless of what key the song is in.

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Shape Patterns(1036)

Chord shapes transposed to a common root. Matches songs that use the same chord voicing pattern in any key.

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Literal Patterns(1057)

Exact chord names as played. Only matches songs that use the same chords in the same key.

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At a glance

Most-used chord progression: V–I (148 songs). 723 distinct pattern values across the catalogue.

Top 20 chord progressions(20 rows)

Pattern	Songs
V–I	148
IV–I	136
I–IV	127
I–V	103
IV–V	82
V–IV	65
IV–I–V	64
ii–V	63
I–vi	62
I–IV–I–V	52
IV–V–I	52
I–I	45
II–V	43
vi–IV	43
ii–V–I	42
V–IV–I	40
V–I–IV	40
V–I–vi	38
I–ii	36
vi–ii	35

Related insights

Chord Coverage Chord Vocabulary Harmony Evolution

How is this computed? Methodology →