3.1 Common Chord Progressions

Chord progressions are the backbone of tonal music. They create a sense of movement and resolution, establishing the key and mood of a piece. From basic I-IV-V-I to more complex sequences, these patterns shape our musical experiences.

Understanding common progressions is crucial for composing and analyzing music. Cadences provide closure, while non-conventional resolutions add interest. Chromaticism and modulation techniques expand harmonic possibilities, allowing for more expressive and diverse musical compositions.

Basic Chord Progressions

Fundamental Progressions

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• I-IV-V-I progression represents the most common chord progression in Western tonal music
  • Consists of the tonic (I), subdominant (IV), and dominant (V) chords
  • Establishes a strong sense of tonality and resolution (C-F-G-C in C major)
• ii-V-I progression is another essential chord progression frequently used in jazz and popular music
  • Involves the supertonic (ii), dominant (V), and tonic (I) chords
  • Creates a smooth voice leading and tension-resolution pattern (Dm-G-C in C major)
• Circle of fifths progression moves through chords related by perfect fifths, creating a sense of forward motion
  • Commonly used in sequences and modulations (C-G-D-A-E in C major)

Sequential Progressions

• Descending fifths sequence is a chord progression that moves downward by perfect fifths
  • Often used to create harmonic movement and prolong a passage (C-F-Bb-Eb-Ab in C major)
  • Can be diatonic or chromatic, depending on the context and desired effect
• Plagal progression, also known as the "Amen" cadence, moves from the subdominant (IV) to the tonic (I)
  • Frequently used in religious and folk music to create a sense of resolution and finality (F-C in C major)
  • Offers a softer and more relaxed resolution compared to the authentic cadence

Cadences and Resolutions

Cadential Progressions

• Authentic cadence is a strong and conclusive resolution from the dominant (V) to the tonic (I)
  • Can be perfect (V-I) or imperfect (V-i), depending on the inversion and scale degree of the final chord
  • Essential for establishing tonality and providing a sense of closure (G-C in C major)
• Half cadence is an incomplete resolution that ends on the dominant (V) chord
  • Creates a sense of suspense or anticipation, often used in the middle of a phrase or section (C-G in C major)
  • Commonly found in binary and ternary forms, as well as in musical periods

Non-Conventional Resolutions

• Deceptive progression, also known as the "interrupted" or "false" cadence, moves from the dominant (V) to a chord other than the tonic (often vi)
  • Subverts the listener's expectations and prolongs the tension (G-Am in C major)
  • Can be used to extend a musical idea or create a sense of surprise
• Turnaround progression is a series of chords that lead back to the tonic, often used in jazz and popular music
  • Commonly consists of the I-vi-ii-V progression or its variations (C-Am-Dm-G in C major)
  • Helps to create a smooth transition between sections or choruses

Chromaticism and Modulation

Chromatic Chords

• Secondary dominants are dominant seventh chords that resolve to a chord other than the tonic
  • Used to create temporary tonicizations and add harmonic interest (D7-G in C major, where D7 is the V7/V)
  • Can be found in various musical styles, from classical to jazz and popular music
• Modal interchange involves borrowing chords from parallel modes to add color and variety to a progression
  • Commonly used in minor keys to borrow chords from the parallel major (Eb major chord in C minor)
  • Creates a sense of harmonic contrast and expands the available chord palette

Modulation Techniques

• Chord substitutions are the process of replacing an expected chord with another that shares similar functions or notes
  • Tritone substitution is a common example, where a dominant seventh chord is replaced by another dominant seventh chord a tritone away (Db7 instead of G7 in C major)
  • Allows for smooth modulations and creates a sense of harmonic sophistication
• Borrowed chords, similar to modal interchange, involve using chords from a different key or mode within a progression
  • Often used to create a temporary shift in tonality or to add emotional depth (F minor chord in C major)
  • Can be diatonic or chromatic, depending on the relationship between the keys and the desired effect