The most common chord progressions

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Being a performer or a music maker is hard enough. It is important not only to know musical notation, but also to understand the mechanism of action of hidden processes. Chord progressions are often used in pop music. They are a versatile tool for creating melodies, as they can be used in different styles.

Theory

If the sound tends to a certain tonal center or central chord, then such a fragment is called a sequence. Sometimes it is a multiple of the syntactic structure of a harmonic cell, in which case the sequence becomes the basis for writing a classical play. The use of sequences is clearly related to form and rhythm. Depending on the frequency of repetition of the section and its length, sequences can be divided into 2, 4 or 8 bars. Chord progressions even help determine if a melody belongs to one of the musical styles. A person who is just starting to study music canto distinguish in this way the classics from pop compositions. If you want to write your own songs, it's important to be able to build chord progressions that are repetitive and easy to remember.

Differences from harmony in classical music

For writing pop music is characterized by the simplicity and repetition of the chord progression. It is based on the repetition of a piece of music, unlike classical music, where harmony moves continuously. The same principle is used when writing short pieces of music used for advertising.

The origins of the sequence of chords used for pop songs are folk songs. Simplicity of performance was very important there, because the instruments were played by people who did not study musical notation, but only mastered some techniques.

The real element of style was the sequence in jazz music. Initially, it was close to classical harmony, but soon ragtime began to strive for simpler repetitions - this is typical for later compositions.

Types of harmony movement

Harmony can move in one of three types:

• quarto fifth;
• chromatic;
• diatonic.

It is on these three types that other subtypes of chord progressions are built. The basis for the construction is the scale, which is why the chords are numbered in accordance with the degree on which they are located.tonic.

The sequence can be played in any key. While maintaining the diatonic structure, only Roman numerals are used in writing chords. If it is necessary to use a seventh chord, indicate a class change - 7 or x.

Functional sequences

They are based on magic circles of functions:

• for T-D-S-T major;
• for minor T-MD-S-T (or major T-MD-S-D-T).

In the above circles, the notation is used: T - tonic, D - dominant, S - subdominant. These circles correspond to any functional sequence. For example, I-IV-V-I, I-VI-IV-V-I or II-V-I-II. You can create such sequences for any scale.

Non-functional sequences

Modal and tone-sequential sequences are non-functional. They do not have a clear resolution to the tonic of the dominant and subdominant. There are also no tonal gravitations. In these sequences, from two options of tonality can be involved. An example of this is Am7 - Hm7, which is the most common sequence. For example, it can be interpreted in Dorian minor, then the formula will be I-IIm7. The same sequence of chords in the key of major can be represented as II-III in G.

Non-functional sequence can be built on the basis of natural frets. An example of this would be the sequence in Mixolydian G majoror Aeolian C. The formula might be: G-Dm-Em-F. At the same time, non-functional sequences most often have only 2 chords in their composition. Melodies are built on their alternation, and there are many such compositions. But most often sequences with a large number of chords that alternate with each other are still used.

Where chord progressions are used

Chords are the basis of many styles: jazz, heavy metal, blues and the like. Borrowing the chord progression has become the basis for many classical pieces. The entire modern stage is built on the use of sequences.

An interesting fact is connected with the stage. If plagiarism is borrowing 7 notes in a row, then sequences do not fall under this rule. Indeed, otherwise many composers would have to share their roy alties with the long-dead Bach, who owns many beautiful chord sequences, or rather with his descendants. The use of sequences is not subject to copyright. That is why many people think that pop songs are similar to each other and have the same melody.

The most used sequences in jazz

Jazzy chord progressions are the most interesting to learn, as they are the most unusual, complex and beautiful. One of the most common progressions is descending ii V I.

| Cmaj7 | % |Cm7 | F7 | Bbmaj7 | % | bbm7 | Eb7 | Abmaj7

As you can see, this is a major sequence in which the fragmentstarts in the key of C, and ends in the major Ab. Throughout the segment, the tonality does not change. This progression is recommended for those guitarists who have just started to get acquainted with jazz sequences. This sequence has a related minor variant:

Dm7(b5)-G7 alt-Cm7

It will help even experienced musicians to expand their knowledge base. Minor chord progressions will be more difficult to master than major ones due to the presence of 7 alt.

Another popular jazz and blues guitar move is the I to IV movement. In the minor key, many performers are familiar with it, but it will be quite interesting to build a sequence in the major key. Examples you can try right away:

Cmaj7-Gm7-C7-F-maj7 or Cmaj7-Gm9-C13-Fmaj9-F6/9

Try them in different keys. This will be a great exercise for your ears and fingers.

Techniques for working with chords

There are many ways to create a chord progression. One of the most common cases is the use of one's own hearing. This technique consists in the fact that the composer sings a melody that came to mind or lay down on the text, and then selects sequences of chords for it.

The harmonic progression of chords is characteristic of classical music. In other styles, a limited number of sequences are used, where harmony is not essential. There are many tricks to help you create your sequence. Chords can be reversedby tonality or make add-ons to them. Often the chords are simply swapped. To find a more acceptable technique for yourself, try changing the key and doing other manipulations with the T-S-D-T pattern. This is another useful exercise for future composers and just musicians.

Sequence creation example

So, you already know about 20 chords that you can play on the guitar and are eager to create an author's song? For such cases, the selection method is suitable, with which you can create a simple and memorable composition.

Creating a guitar chord sequence starts with finding the scale for the song. To do this, you need to have a ready-made text or at least a motive. Sing it several times to choose the right scale that will form the basis of the new sequence. Identify the note that predetermined the melody.

1. Determine the tone of the scale. To do this, take the note you found, sing the song again. We recommend that you always take the major first, and if it does not fit, then try the minor.
2. Based on the note and scale, applying the rules of family chords, you can easily find the right combination.
3. If you're not a professional guitar player, use the "three chord" trick. Let's analyze it on the basis of the major scale and the main note "to". In this case, the sequence will look like this: C major - F major - G-seventh chord.

To learn how to create more complex melodies,you need to constantly practice. Learn the sequences that are used in melodies belonging to different styles. Try writing your first sequences that can form the basis of songs. Be sure to do a large number of repetitions while working with sequences. If you didn’t manage to write your melody the first time, then you will definitely succeed from the 101st, so don’t give up trying. To do this, you will have to be patient.