1.6 Chord progressions

Chord progressions form the backbone of musical harmony, guiding the emotional journey of a piece. They're sequences of chords that create a sense of movement and resolution. Understanding different types of progressions helps musicians craft compelling harmonies.

Common chord progressions serve as templates for songwriting across genres. The I-IV-V progression, for example, is ubiquitous in Western music. By analyzing and creating progressions, musicians can develop a deeper understanding of harmonic structure and make informed compositional choices.

Types of chord progressions

• Chord progressions are sequences of chords that create the harmonic foundation of a piece of music
• Different types of chord progressions are characterized by the kinds of chords used and the relationships between them

Diatonic chord progressions

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• Constructed using chords belonging to a single key or diatonic scale
• Common in classical, folk, and pop music styles (I-IV-V-I in C major)
• Tend to have a stable and consonant sound due to the strong tonal center

Chromatic chord progressions

• Incorporate chords from outside the primary key, using accidentals and borrowed chords
• Create a sense of tension, surprise, or emotional intensity (I-bIII-bVI-bII in C major)
• Often used in jazz, R&B, and film scores to add color and complexity

Modal chord progressions

• Built on modes other than major or minor, such as Dorian, Mixolydian, or Phrygian
• Evoke distinct moods and flavors associated with each mode (i-bVII-bVI-v in D Dorian)
• Frequently found in folk, rock, and world music genres

Blues chord progressions

• Based on the 12-bar blues form, using a specific sequence of dominant 7th chords
• Typically features the I, IV, and V chords of a key (C7-F7-G7 in C blues)
• Serves as the harmonic backbone for blues, jazz, and early rock and roll

Common chord progressions

• Certain chord progressions have become ubiquitous across various musical genres due to their strong harmonic movement and memorable sound
• These progressions serve as templates for songwriting and improvisation, allowing musicians to communicate and collaborate effectively

I-IV-V progression

• One of the most basic and widely used chord progressions in Western music
• Creates a strong sense of tonality and resolution (C-F-G in C major)
• Forms the basis for countless popular songs, from blues to rock to country

ii-V-I progression

• A staple of jazz harmony, often used for turnarounds and cadences
• Combines the supertonic, dominant, and tonic chords (Dm7-G7-Cmaj7 in C major)
• Provides a smooth and functional way to navigate between keys

I-vi-IV-V progression

• Sometimes called the "50s progression" due to its prevalence in mid-20th century pop music
• Offers a balanced mix of major and minor chords (C-Am-F-G in C major)
• Used in countless hit songs across various genres and eras

12-bar blues progression

• The most common form in blues music, consisting of three four-bar phrases
• Follows a I-IV-I-V-IV-I pattern with dominant 7th chords (C7-F7-C7-G7-F7-C7 in C blues)
• Serves as a framework for improvisation and storytelling in blues and related genres

Chord progression analysis

• Analyzing chord progressions involves identifying the functions and relationships between chords in a given key
• This process helps musicians understand the harmonic structure of a piece and make informed choices when composing, arranging, or improvising

Identifying chord functions

• Chords can be classified based on their function within a key, such as tonic, subdominant, or dominant
• The tonic chord (I) represents the home base or point of resolution
• The subdominant chord (IV) creates a sense of departure or movement away from the tonic
• The dominant chord (V) builds tension and leads strongly back to the tonic

Tonic, subdominant, and dominant

• The tonic (I), subdominant (IV), and dominant (V) chords form the primary harmonic functions in a key
• These chords are often used to establish the tonality and create a sense of forward motion
• Examples: In C major, the tonic is C, the subdominant is F, and the dominant is G

Secondary dominants

• Chords that temporarily tonicize a non-tonic chord by acting as its dominant
• Identified by the formula V/X, where X is the chord being tonicized (V/ii, V/vi)
• Add color, tension, and direction to a chord progression (D7 resolving to G in C major)

Deceptive cadences

• A type of cadence where the dominant chord resolves to a chord other than the tonic
• Often involves the dominant moving to the submediant (V-vi) or mediant (V-iii)
• Creates a sense of surprise, prolongation, or emotional effect (G7 to Am in C major)

Chord progression creation

• Composing effective chord progressions involves considering the melody, voice leading, and overall harmonic direction of a piece
• By understanding the principles of chord function and relationships, musicians can craft progressions that support and enhance their musical ideas

Choosing chords for melody

• Chords should be selected to harmonize the essential notes of a melody
• Consider the key, scale degrees, and rhythmic placement of melodic notes
• Aim for a balance between consonance and dissonance, stability and tension

Voice leading between chords

• Voice leading refers to the smooth and efficient movement of individual voices within a chord progression
• Minimize leaps and avoid parallel fifths and octaves to create a cohesive sound
• Use common tones and stepwise motion to connect chords seamlessly

Harmonizing a melody

• Identify the key and scale degrees of the melody notes
• Choose chords that contain or support the melody notes, following harmonic conventions
• Consider the rhythm and phrasing of the melody when placing chord changes

Modulating to new keys

• Modulation involves transitioning from one key to another within a chord progression
• Common techniques include using pivot chords, secondary dominants, or direct modulation
• Plan the modulation to create a sense of direction and variety in the progression

Chord substitution

• Chord substitution involves replacing a chord in a progression with a different chord that serves a similar function or creates a desired effect
• This technique allows musicians to add variety, complexity, and personal style to their chord progressions

Diatonic substitution

• Replacing a chord with another chord from the same key
• Common substitutions include iii for I, vi for I, ii for IV, and vii° for V
• Diatonic substitutions maintain the overall tonality while offering subtle variations

Tritone substitution

• Substituting a dominant 7th chord with another dominant 7th chord a tritone away
• The two chords share the same tritone interval (3rd and 7th), allowing for smooth voice leading
• Creates a chromatic and jazzy sound (Db7 for G7 in C major)

Passing chords and neighbors

• Inserting brief chords between two primary chords to create a sense of motion or embellishment
• Passing chords often fill in the space between chords by stepwise motion (Dm7 between C and Em)
• Neighbor chords temporarily move away from and back to a primary chord (G/B between C chords)

Altered chords in progressions

• Using chords with altered notes (b5, #5, b9, #9, #11, b13) to add tension and color
• Altered chords are often applied to dominant chords to create a stronger pull towards resolution
• Examples include V7b9, V7#11, and V7b13 (G7b9, G7#11, G7b13 in C major)

Rhythm in chord progressions

• The rhythmic placement and duration of chords can significantly impact the feel and momentum of a chord progression
• By manipulating the harmonic rhythm and syncopation, musicians can create diverse grooves and textures

Harmonic rhythm

• The rate at which chords change in a progression, measured in relation to the beat
• Slower harmonic rhythms create a sense of stability and space (one chord per bar)
• Faster harmonic rhythms generate momentum and intensity (two or more chords per bar)

Syncopation with chord changes

• Placing chord changes on weak or offbeat positions to create rhythmic interest
• Syncopated chord changes can add a sense of forward drive or unexpectedness
• Examples include changing chords on the upbeats or the "and" of beats

Anticipations and suspensions

• Anticipations involve playing a chord slightly before its expected arrival, creating a sense of eagerness
• Suspensions occur when a note from a previous chord is held over into the next chord, creating tension and release
• Both techniques can add rhythmic and harmonic complexity to a progression

Pedal points and drones

• A pedal point is a sustained or repeated note, usually in the bass, that continues throughout chord changes
• Drones are similar to pedal points but often involve multiple sustained notes
• These techniques can create a sense of stability, tension, or modal ambiguity (C pedal under Dm7-G7)

Texture and chord progressions

• The texture of a chord progression refers to the arrangement and interaction of the musical elements, such as melody, harmony, and rhythm
• Different textures can evoke distinct moods, styles, and levels of complexity

Homophonic vs polyphonic

• Homophonic texture features a single melodic line supported by chordal accompaniment
• Polyphonic texture consists of multiple independent melodic lines that interact harmonically
• Chord progressions can be adapted to suit either texture, depending on the desired effect

Arpeggiation and broken chords

• Arpeggiation involves playing the notes of a chord sequentially rather than simultaneously
• Broken chords are similar to arpeggios but may include repeated notes or different patterns
• These techniques can create a sense of movement, space, or accompaniment style

Accompaniment patterns

• Repetitive or varied rhythmic and harmonic patterns played alongside a melody
• Common accompaniment patterns include strumming, fingerpicking, walking bass, and comping
• The choice of accompaniment pattern can greatly influence the feel and genre of a progression

Chord-melody arrangements

• Combining the melody and harmony into a single instrumental part, often on guitar or piano
• Chord-melody arrangements showcase the interplay between the melodic and harmonic elements
• This texture allows for a more intimate and expressive rendition of a chord progression

Improvising over chord progressions

• Improvisation involves creating spontaneous melodies, rhythms, and harmonies within the context of a given chord progression
• By understanding the relationship between scales, chords, and melodic techniques, musicians can effectively navigate and personalize their improvisations

Chord-scale relationships

• Each chord in a progression is associated with a corresponding scale or mode
• The chord tones (1, 3, 5, 7) are the most stable and consonant notes to emphasize
• Other scale tones can be used as passing notes, approach notes, or tensions

Targeting chord tones

• Aiming for chord tones on strong beats or at the beginning of phrases to outline the harmony
• Using non-chord tones to create tension and resolution towards chord tones
• Emphasizing the 3rd and 7th of each chord to clearly define the harmonic movement

Enclosures and approach notes

• Enclosures involve playing notes above and below a target chord tone before resolving to it
• Approach notes are single notes that lead into a chord tone by step or half-step
• These techniques create a sense of tension and release, adding interest to improvisations

Harmonic generalization

• Simplifying a complex chord progression by identifying common scales or parent keys
• Focusing on the primary chords (I, IV, V) and treating others as passing or color chords
• This approach allows improvisers to maintain melodic fluidity and coherence across the progression