GITNUX MARKETDATA REPORT 2024

Guitar Chord Popularity Statistics

The most popular guitar chords used in pop music are likely to be major chords (such as C, G, and D) and minor chords (such as Am, Em, and Dm).

Highlights: Guitar Chord Popularity Statistics

  • In a chart listing the top 10 most popular guitar chords, G major claimed the top spot.
  • D major, C major, and A minor are also extremely popular guitar chords, securing positions two, three, and four on the chart.
  • C Major, used in approximately 29% of popular songs, is one of the most common key centers.
  • 30% of all songs on spotify start with the C chord.
  • The chronic use of the four chords CGAmF were observed in 97 of the top 100 songs according to Spotify.
  • More than half of the Billboard year-end top 100 songs between 2000-2009 contained the chord sequence of I V vi IV.
  • E minor is the 7th most popular chord on the guitar.
  • The chords D major, G major, and E minor make up two-thirds of the Beatles' "Let it Be".
  • 55% of Creedence Clearwater Revival songs use just three chords.
  • Only 3% of rock songs do not contain either E, A, D, or G chords.
  • In their music, The Beach Boys use four-chord progression nearly 78% of the time.
  • In the 1980s, the I, IV, V chord progression was particularly prevalent, appearing in almost 50% of number one songs.
  • The Em-G-D-A chord progression can be found in nearly 21% of all pop songs.
  • According to a data analysis from 2015, 20% of The Rolling Stones songs are in the key of E major.
  • 85% of Tom Petty’s music consists of a few simple, yet popular chords.
  • The G-Em-C-D progression, also known as the 'Doo-Wop' progression, appears in around 17% of pop songs.
  • According to a study on song keys in 2020, G# minor is the least popular key in pop music.
  • Only 4.3% of songs in a study were found to primarily use the V chord (5 chord).
  • In almost 40% of the analysed songs, the second most used chord after the tonic was the IV chord.

Discover our favorite AI Writing Tool

Write scientific papers in minutes thanks to AI

Jenni's AI-powered text editor helps you write, edit, and cite with confidence. Save hours on your next paper

Table of Contents

The Latest Guitar Chord Popularity Statistics Explained

In a chart listing the top 10 most popular guitar chords, G major claimed the top spot.

The statistic that G major claimed the top spot among the top 10 most popular guitar chords indicates that G major is the chord most frequently used by guitar players. This suggests that G major is highly versatile and commonly found in a wide range of songs across various genres, making it a fundamental and essential chord for guitarists to master. Additionally, its popularity could be attributed to its pleasing sound and ease of playability on the guitar fretboard, which may contribute to its widespread use among musicians. Overall, this statistic highlights the significance and prevalence of G major in the world of guitar playing.

D major, C major, and A minor are also extremely popular guitar chords, securing positions two, three, and four on the chart.

This statistic highlights the popularity of three specific guitar chords – D major, C major, and A minor – in the context of a chart ranking. The statement indicates that these three chords hold positions two, three, and four on the chart, suggesting that they are widely used and favored by guitar players. The term “extremely popular” emphasizes the widespread appeal and usage of these chords in music. Overall, this statistic underscores the significance and prevalence of these particular chords in the realm of guitar playing and music composition.

C Major, used in approximately 29% of popular songs, is one of the most common key centers.

The statistic that C Major is used in approximately 29% of popular songs indicates that this key center is highly prevalent in contemporary music. This suggests that musicians and songwriters frequently choose to compose in C Major, making it one of the most commonly used key centers. The popularity of C Major could be attributed to its relative simplicity and ease of use, as it does not contain any sharps or flats and is considered a neutral and versatile key. The widespread use of C Major in popular songs may be influencing the perception of this key center as a familiar and comfortable choice for both artists and listeners alike.

30% of all songs on spotify start with the C chord.

The statistic ‘30% of all songs on Spotify start with the C chord’ suggests that among all the songs available on the Spotify platform, approximately 30% of them begin with the C chord. This implies that the C chord is a commonly used chord progression in popular music. The statistic provides insight into the prevalence and popularity of the C chord as a starting point for songs across various genres and artists in the Spotify music library. Additionally, it signifies a pattern or trend in songwriting that favors the use of the C chord as an introductory element in music production.

The chronic use of the four chords CGAmF were observed in 97 of the top 100 songs according to Spotify.

The statistic suggests that there is a recurring pattern in the top 100 songs on Spotify, where the four chords CGAmF are frequently used in a chronic manner across these songs. This pattern implies that songwriters and musicians find these chords particularly appealing or effective in creating popular music. The high prevalence of these chords in the top songs could indicate a common formula or trend in popular music composition. This statistic highlights the importance of chord progressions in music and suggests that certain chord sequences may contribute to the success and popularity of songs in the music industry.

More than half of the Billboard year-end top 100 songs between 2000-2009 contained the chord sequence of I V vi IV.

The statistic suggests that a significant portion of popular songs during the 2000-2009 period incorporated a specific chord progression known as I-V-vi-IV. This progression, which refers to the chords built on the 1st, 5th, 6th, and 4th degrees of a major scale, is considered a common and pleasing sequence in music. The fact that more than half of the Billboard year-end top 100 songs from this decade used this progression indicates its widespread popularity and influence in shaping the musical landscape of that era. This statistic highlights not only a trend in songwriting during this time but also underscores the importance of certain musical elements, like chord progressions, in defining the sound and appeal of chart-topping hits.

E minor is the 7th most popular chord on the guitar.

The statistic “E minor is the 7th most popular chord on the guitar” can be interpreted as a ranking based on frequency of use or prevalence in music. This suggests that among all the different chords that can be played on the guitar, E minor tends to be the 7th most commonly used chord. This ranking may be based on data from music charts, guitar tab websites, or surveys of musicians. As the 7th most popular chord, E minor holds a significant place in the repertoire of guitar players and is likely to be encountered frequently in various songs and musical compositions.

The chords D major, G major, and E minor make up two-thirds of the Beatles’ “Let it Be”.

The statistic that the chords D major, G major, and E minor make up two-thirds of the Beatles’ song “Let it Be” suggests a notable pattern in the harmonic structure of the song. These three chords are prominently used throughout the composition, indicating a simple yet effective chord progression that underpins the overall musical arrangement. This statistic highlights the repetitive nature of the chord progression in “Let it Be” and demonstrates how a relatively small number of chords can form the foundation of a successful and memorable song. It also suggests a deliberate and strategic choice by the songwriters to create a cohesive and harmonically consistent musical piece.

55% of Creedence Clearwater Revival songs use just three chords.

The statistic “55% of Creedence Clearwater Revival songs use just three chords” indicates that a majority of the songs by the band Creedence Clearwater Revival are relatively simple in terms of chord progression, with only three different chords being used in over half of their songs. This suggests that the band favored a straightforward approach to songwriting, focusing on the power of melody and lyrics rather than complex musical arrangements. The statistic highlights a characteristic style of the band and provides insight into their songwriting techniques and musical preferences.

Only 3% of rock songs do not contain either E, A, D, or G chords.

This statistic suggests that the vast majority of rock songs typically include at least one of the chords E, A, D, or G. Specifically, only 3% of rock songs are found to not contain any of these chords. This indicates a strong preference or tendency among songwriters and musicians within the rock genre to utilize these particular chords in their compositions. The presence of these chords in such a high percentage of rock songs highlights their importance and popularity within the genre, potentially reflecting their harmonic qualities and ability to create the desired sound characteristic of rock music.

In their music, The Beach Boys use four-chord progression nearly 78% of the time.

The statistic indicates that in The Beach Boys’ music, a four-chord progression is present approximately 78% of the time. A four-chord progression typically refers to a sequence of four different chords that are repeated throughout a musical piece, which is a common structure in popular music. This statistic suggests that The Beach Boys heavily rely on this particular harmonic pattern in their compositions, as it appears in the majority of their songs. Such consistent use of four-chord progressions could contribute to the signature sound and style associated with The Beach Boys’ music, making it recognizable and potentially appealing to their audience.

In the 1980s, the I, IV, V chord progression was particularly prevalent, appearing in almost 50% of number one songs.

In the 1980s, the I, IV, V chord progression was a highly prevalent musical pattern, appearing in nearly 50% of number one songs during that decade. This statistic suggests that the I, IV, V progression was a popular choice among musicians and songwriters at the time, likely contributing to the overall sound and feel of the music of that era. The prominence of this chord progression in hit songs of the 1980s indicates a strong trend and preference for this harmonic sequence among both audiences and artists in the music industry during that period.

The Em-G-D-A chord progression can be found in nearly 21% of all pop songs.

This statistic suggests that the chord progression consisting of the Em, G, D, and A chords is quite prevalent in popular music, appearing in approximately 21% of all pop songs analyzed. This chord progression is likely popular because of its harmonious and versatile nature, providing a pleasing sound that resonates with listeners across different genres and styles within the pop music realm. The statistic highlights a recurring pattern in songwriting practices within the pop music genre, showcasing the significance of certain chord progressions in creating catchy and appealing music that connects with audiences on a broad scale.

According to a data analysis from 2015, 20% of The Rolling Stones songs are in the key of E major.

The statistic indicates that 20% of the songs by The Rolling Stones, as analyzed in 2015, were composed in the key of E major. This implies that out of all the songs analyzed from the band’s repertoire, a notable portion were written using the E major key signature. Key signatures in music dictate the tonal center of a piece, influencing its overall mood and musical structure. The prevalence of E major in The Rolling Stones’ songs suggests a deliberate musical choice or trend within their compositions, showcasing a preference for the specific sound and tonality that the E major key signature offers.

85% of Tom Petty’s music consists of a few simple, yet popular chords.

The statistic that 85% of Tom Petty’s music consists of a few simple, yet popular chords suggests that a large majority of his songs are built on basic chord progressions rather than complex musical arrangements. This statistic implies that Tom Petty’s songwriting style is characterized by a straightforward and easily accessible musical structure, which may contribute to the widespread appeal and popularity of his music. By relying on simple chords, Tom Petty may have created a sound that resonates with a broad audience and is memorable and easy to sing along to. Additionally, this statistic highlights the power of simplicity in music composition and its potential to produce enduring and beloved songs.

The G-Em-C-D progression, also known as the ‘Doo-Wop’ progression, appears in around 17% of pop songs.

The statistic stating that the G-Em-C-D progression, commonly referred to as the ‘Doo-Wop’ progression, appears in around 17% of pop songs indicates the frequency with which this specific chord sequence is utilized in the music genre. This statistic suggests that the G-Em-C-D progression is a popular and recurring choice among songwriters and musicians in the creation of pop songs. The percentage value of 17% gives insight into the prevalence of this particular progression within the overall landscape of pop music, highlighting its significance and widespread use as a musical motif in the genre.

According to a study on song keys in 2020, G# minor is the least popular key in pop music.

According to a study conducted on song keys in 2020, it was found that G# minor is the least popular key in pop music. This statistic suggests that among all the different key signatures commonly used in pop music, G# minor is the one that appears least frequently in songs. The study likely analyzed a large dataset of popular songs from various sources to determine this finding. This information can provide insight into musical trends and preferences within the pop music genre, revealing that certain keys may be more commonly used or preferred by musicians and listeners.

Only 4.3% of songs in a study were found to primarily use the V chord (5 chord).

In a study on songs, it was observed that only 4.3% of the songs primarily utilized the V chord, which is the 5th chord in the musical scale. This statistic suggests that the V chord is not frequently emphasized as the central chord in the majority of songs analyzed. Since the V chord typically creates tension and a sense of anticipation in music, its relatively low usage may imply that songwriters prefer other chords or harmonic progressions to convey different moods or styles. Further analysis could explore the significance of this finding in relation to musical composition techniques, trends, or genres.

In almost 40% of the analysed songs, the second most used chord after the tonic was the IV chord.

This statistic indicates that in a substantial proportion of the analyzed songs (almost 40%), the IV chord was the second most frequently used chord after the tonic chord. The IV chord, also known as the subdominant chord, is a common choice in music due to its harmonic stability and ability to create a sense of tension and release. The prevalence of the IV chord in this position suggests that it plays a significant role in the harmonic structure of these songs, potentially contributing to the overall tonal characteristics and emotional impact of the music. This finding could be relevant for musicians, composers, and music theorists interested in understanding and analyzing chord progressions and harmonic patterns in popular music compositions.

References

0. – https://www.medium.com

1. – https://www.musicstack.com

2. – https://www.makingmusicmag.com

3. – https://www.www.songwriting-secrets.net

4. – https://www.www.songstuff.com

5. – https://www.www.hooktheory.com

6. – https://www.www.guitarworld.com

7. – https://www.okkana.com

8. – https://www.www.hooksandharmony.com

9. – https://www.producersociety.com

10. – https://www.www.guitarhabits.com

11. – https://www.towardsdatascience.com

How we write our statistic reports:

We have not conducted any studies ourselves. Our article provides a summary of all the statistics and studies available at the time of writing. We are solely presenting a summary, not expressing our own opinion. We have collected all statistics within our internal database. In some cases, we use Artificial Intelligence for formulating the statistics. The articles are updated regularly.

See our Editorial Process.

Table of Contents

... Before You Leave, Catch This! 🔥

Your next business insight is just a subscription away. Our newsletter The Week in Data delivers the freshest statistics and trends directly to you. Stay informed, stay ahead—subscribe now.

Sign up for our newsletter and become the navigator of tomorrow's trends. Equip your strategy with unparalleled insights!