6.1 Common Chord Progressions
5 min read•july 29, 2024
Chord progressions are the backbone of music, providing structure and emotional depth. They're like the roadmap for a song, guiding listeners through its harmonic journey. Understanding common progressions helps you navigate different genres and compose more effectively.
In this part of the chapter, we'll look at popular chord progressions across genres and dive into the . We'll also explore how to analyze progressions using Roman numerals and how to use this knowledge to create your own musical masterpieces.
Common Chord Progressions in Music
Popular Chord Progressions Across Genres
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Top images from around the web for Popular Chord Progressions Across Genres
List of chord progressions - Wikipedia View original
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List of chord progressions - Wikipedia View original
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List of chord progressions - Wikipedia View original
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List of chord progressions - Wikipedia View original
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- The I-IV-V progression establishes a strong sense of tonality and provides a clear harmonic foundation in popular music, blues, rock, and folk genres
- The ii-V-I progression creates a sense of tension and resolution, leading smoothly back to the chord, making it a staple in jazz for turnarounds and cadences
- The progression, also known as the "50s progression" or "doo-wop progression," is frequently found in popular music from the 1950s and 1960s, as well as in contemporary pop and rock songs
- The progression, sometimes called the "pop-punk progression," offers a slightly different flavor compared to the I-vi-IV-V, with a stronger pull towards the tonic in modern pop, rock, and punk music
The 12-Bar Blues Progression
- The 12-bar blues progression forms the harmonic backbone of traditional blues music and has heavily influenced rock, jazz, and R&B
- Typically features the chords I, IV, and V
- Follows a specific pattern over 12 bars: I-I-I-I, IV-IV-I-I, V-IV-I-I
- Variations and extensions of the basic progression are common (, turnarounds)
- The blues progression provides a simple yet effective framework for improvisation and songwriting
- Encourages the use of blue notes and pentatonic scales
- Allows for call-and-response patterns between vocals and instruments
Harmonic Structure of Chord Progressions
Roman Numeral Analysis
- Roman numerals represent chords based on their function within a given key
- Uppercase numerals (I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII) denote major chords
- Lowercase numerals (i, ii, iii, iv, v, vi, vii°) indicate or chords
- Roman numeral analysis reveals the relationships between chords and the tonal center, helping to understand the progression's harmonic function and structure
- Identifies the role of each chord within the key (tonic, , )
- Highlights the use of diatonic and non-diatonic chords
- Aids in recognizing common chord patterns and substitutions
Cadences and Secondary Dominants
- Cadences, such as perfect (V-I), plagal (IV-I), and deceptive (V-vi), can be identified using Roman numerals, providing insight into the harmonic motion and points of resolution within a progression
- Perfect cadences create a strong sense of resolution and finality
- Plagal cadences offer a softer, more subdued resolution
- Deceptive cadences introduce an element of surprise and can extend the harmonic progression
- are dominant chords that resolve to a chord other than the tonic
- Labeled with the formula "V/x" where "x" is the chord being tonicized (e.g., V/ii, V/vi)
- Create temporary tonicizations and add harmonic interest to the progression
- Help to smooth the transition between different chords within the progression
Composing with Chord Progressions
Selecting Chords and Voicings
- Consider the mood, genre, and desired harmonic movement when selecting chords and voicings for a composition
- Major chords tend to convey a bright, happy, or uplifting mood
- Minor chords can evoke a sense of sadness, melancholy, or introspection
- Seventh chords add richness and complexity to the harmonic texture
- Experiment with different harmonic rhythms to create interest and variety in the progression
- Change chords every measure, every two measures, or use syncopation
- Vary the duration of chords to emphasize certain harmonic moments or create a sense of forward motion
Embellishing Chord Progressions
- Utilize inversions and extensions of chords to add variety and smoothness to the harmonic progression while maintaining the fundamental structure
- First inversion chords (e.g., I6, IV6) can provide a sense of openness or lightness
- Second inversion chords (e.g., I64, V42) can create tension or anticipation
- Extensions such as ninths, elevenths, and thirteenths can add color and complexity to the chords
- Incorporate non-chord tones, such as passing tones, neighbor tones, and suspensions, to create melodic interest and connect chords in a more seamless manner
- Passing tones are used to fill in the gaps between chord tones, creating a smooth melodic line
- Neighbor tones are notes that move away from and return to a chord tone, adding embellishment
- Suspensions involve holding a note from the previous chord into the next chord, creating tension and resolution
Chord Progressions: Tonal Centers and Motion
Establishing the Tonal Center
- Chord progressions establish the tonal center by emphasizing the tonic chord and the relationships between the tonic and other chords within the key
- The tonic chord (I) serves as the point of resolution and stability
- The dominant chord (V) creates tension and leads strongly back to the tonic
- The subdominant chord (IV) provides contrast and balance to the tonic-dominant relationship
- The movement from the tonic to the dominant and back to the tonic (I-V-I) is a fundamental harmonic motion that creates a sense of tension and resolution, solidifying the tonal center
- This motion is often referred to as an ""
- The dominant-tonic resolution is a key element in establishing and reinforcing the tonal center
Creating Harmonic Motion and Interest
- Chord progressions create harmonic motion by moving from one chord to another, with each chord having a specific function and relationship to the tonal center
- Pre-dominant chords (ii, IV) lead towards the dominant and build tension
- The dominant chord (V) creates the strongest pull towards the tonic and demands resolution
- The tonic chord (I) provides a sense of arrival and resolution
- The resolution of dissonance to consonance, particularly in the case of the dominant chord resolving to the tonic, plays a crucial role in creating a sense of harmonic direction and resolution within a progression
- Dissonant intervals, such as tritones or seventh chords, create tension and instability
- Consonant intervals, such as perfect fifths and octaves, provide a sense of stability and resolution
- Deceptive cadences and other unexpected chord movements can temporarily obscure the tonal center, creating harmonic tension and interest before eventually resolving back to the established key
- A moves from the dominant to a chord other than the tonic (e.g., V-vi)
- Secondary dominants and borrowed chords can introduce chords outside the key, adding color and variety to the progression
Key Terms to Review (22)
12-bar blues: The 12-bar blues is a musical structure commonly used in blues music that consists of a repeating chord progression over 12 measures or bars. This format typically follows a specific pattern using the I, IV, and V chords, which creates a distinct sound and feel associated with the genre. It serves as a foundation for improvisation and is essential for understanding how blues music functions within various styles.
Augmented: In music, 'augmented' refers to a quality of intervals and chords that is raised or increased by a half step. This term is often used to describe augmented intervals, which are one half step larger than a perfect or major interval, and augmented chords, which typically consist of a root note, a major third, and an augmented fifth. Augmented elements create a sense of tension and can add distinct flavor to musical progressions, making them an important concept in harmonic structure and composition.
Authentic Cadence: An authentic cadence is a type of musical resolution that occurs when a dominant chord (V) resolves to the tonic chord (I), providing a strong sense of closure and finality in a musical passage. This cadence is a fundamental building block in Western harmony, helping to establish the tonal center and guiding the listener's ear through a piece of music. Authentic cadences are often found at the end of phrases or sections, serving to reinforce the overall structure of the composition.
Cadence: A cadence is a musical term that refers to a sequence of chords that brings a phrase, section, or piece to a close. It functions as a punctuation mark in music, indicating the end of a thought or idea and often providing a sense of resolution. Cadences can vary in their strength and type, influencing how music is perceived in terms of its melodic and harmonic flow.
Deceptive Cadence: A deceptive cadence is a harmonic progression that creates an expectation for resolution but instead leads to an unexpected chord, usually moving from the dominant chord (V) to the submediant (vi). This surprising shift serves to prolong tension and can add emotional depth to a piece of music, making it an important concept in harmonic analysis, cadence types, common chord progressions, and the use of secondary dominants.
Diminished: Diminished refers to a specific quality of chords and intervals that sound tense or unresolved, characterized by the lowering of a note by a half step. In music theory, diminished intervals are often used in common chord progressions and can create tension that seeks resolution. Understanding diminished chords and intervals is essential for recognizing their function within musical compositions, as they often lead to more stable harmonic areas.
Dominant: The dominant is the fifth scale degree in a diatonic scale and plays a critical role in establishing tonal center and creating tension that resolves to the tonic. This chord, typically built on the fifth scale degree, is essential in creating strong harmonic progressions, often leading to cadences that signal the end of a musical phrase.
I-v-vi-iv: The i-v-vi-iv chord progression is a common sequence in music that refers to the minor tonic (i), the dominant (v), the submediant (vi), and the subdominant (iv) chords. This progression is often used to create emotional depth in songs, particularly in popular and contemporary music styles. Its structure highlights the interplay between tension and resolution, making it a powerful tool for composers and songwriters.
I-vi-iv-v: The i-vi-iv-v progression is a common chord sequence in music that represents a sequence of chords based on the natural minor scale. This progression features the tonic (i), submediant (vi), subdominant (iv), and dominant (v) chords, providing a sense of movement and emotional depth. It's often used in various genres, allowing composers to create compelling melodies and harmonies that resonate with listeners.
Jazz standards: Jazz standards are musical compositions that are widely recognized and performed within the jazz genre, serving as a common repertoire for jazz musicians. These songs often feature memorable melodies and chord progressions that allow for improvisation, making them essential for both learning and performing jazz. They create a shared language among musicians and are frequently used in jam sessions and performances.
Minor: In music, 'minor' refers to a scale or chord that has a darker, sadder sound compared to its major counterpart. The minor scale is characterized by a specific pattern of whole and half steps that creates its unique tonal quality, which plays a crucial role in establishing emotional moods within music. Understanding how minor keys function, how they relate to common chord progressions, and how intervals are constructed can deepen one’s appreciation of harmony and composition.
Modulation: Modulation is the process of changing from one key to another within a piece of music, often enhancing emotional expression and structural complexity. This shift can be achieved through various techniques, impacting harmonic analysis, chord progressions, and the overall form of a composition.
Passing Chords: Passing chords are chords that connect two main chords in a progression, typically used to create smoother transitions and add harmonic interest. These chords often function as a bridge between the primary chords, enriching the overall sound of the music and enhancing the movement between harmonic areas. They can be diatonic or chromatic, and their placement adds tension and resolution within a chord progression.
Perfect Cadence: A perfect cadence is a musical progression that creates a strong sense of resolution, typically moving from the dominant chord (V) to the tonic chord (I). This type of cadence is often used at the end of phrases to signal completion, establishing a sense of closure and finality in the music. Perfect cadences are foundational in creating tension and release, which makes them integral to understanding harmonic progression, common chord progressions, and the structure of musical phrases.
Pivot chord: A pivot chord is a common chord that serves as a bridge between two different keys, allowing for smooth modulation in music. It is typically diatonic to both the original and the target key, facilitating a seamless transition by creating a tonal connection. This technique is essential in composing effective chord progressions that enhance emotional depth and complexity in a piece.
Plagal Cadence: A plagal cadence is a harmonic progression that moves from the subdominant chord (IV) to the tonic chord (I), often creating a feeling of resolution or completion. Commonly referred to as the 'Amen cadence' due to its frequent use in hymns and religious music, it serves to establish a sense of finality while also differing from the stronger perfect cadence (V-I). This type of cadence plays an essential role in harmonic analysis, cadence types, common chord progressions, harmonic progression rules, four-part writing principles, and the understanding of phrases and periods.
Pop Music: Pop music is a genre characterized by its wide appeal, catchy melodies, and often simple lyrics, typically aimed at a general audience. This genre incorporates elements from various styles, making it highly versatile and ever-evolving, with common chord progressions serving as a foundation for many hits. The focus on accessibility and memorability in pop music plays a significant role in its popularity and cultural impact.
Secondary Dominants: Secondary dominants are chords that function as the dominant (V) of a chord other than the tonic in a given key, creating tension and leading to a resolution to that chord. They are a common way to add harmonic interest and variety to chord progressions, making them an essential element in tonal music. By introducing these non-diatonic chords, composers can create temporary modulations and enhance the expressive quality of their music.
Seventh Chords: Seventh chords are musical chords that consist of four notes: the root, third, fifth, and seventh. They create a richer sound compared to triads and are commonly used to add tension and color in harmonic progressions. Their usage spans across various musical genres, making them essential for both composition and analysis, influencing common progressions, four-part writing techniques, and melodic harmonization strategies.
Subdominant: The subdominant is the fourth degree of the diatonic scale, typically represented by the IV chord, and plays a crucial role in harmonic progression and creating musical tension. It functions as a bridge between the tonic and dominant chords, contributing to a sense of movement and resolution within a piece of music.
Tonic: The tonic is the first and most important note of a scale, serving as the home base or point of resolution for melodies and harmonies. It establishes the key of a piece, providing a sense of stability and grounding for both listeners and performers.
Voice Leading: Voice leading refers to the practice of composing music in a way that ensures smooth, logical, and efficient movement between individual melodic lines or voices. It focuses on how each voice interacts with others in terms of motion, harmony, and texture, which is crucial for creating coherent chord progressions and harmonizations.