Questions tagged [chord-progressions]
For questions about sequences of chords, and the relationship of one chord to the next. Typically questions about chord progressions should also be tagged harmony if asking about in depth concepts about them. Questions that are about abstractions of chord progressions use Roman Numeral analysis should also be tagged with Roman-Numeral and analysis if applicable.
876
questions
1
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3answers
44 views
Secondary dominant of a minor tonic?
While trying to analyze Mike Oldfield's Nuclear, I got stuck.
The main chord progression is Fm-Cm-Bbm-C.
Up until C, it looks like in Fm (natural) key, i-v-iv-....
C would look like a V (which Fm ...
4
votes
1answer
76 views
How to analyze mm. 5-8 in the first movement of Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 8
Everything makes sense until mm. 5. It looks like it moves from c minor to Eb major.
Suppose we're in Eb major starting at mm. 5
From the end of mm. 5 to the very beginning of mm. 6, it's a vii°7/vi ...
3
votes
1answer
57 views
Are big inner voice leaps permissible in the vi - V progression?
I am harmonizing a melody and that ^1 in m. 2 is supposed to be harmonized with a chord other than a tonic so I figured it must be a vi chord. The ^1 ^2 ^3 in the soprano usually works well with vi V ...
2
votes
3answers
193 views
What do you call it when the chord progression from I to the VI but major?
I think there's a similar question to this. But I couldn't pick up the exact answer that i can fully hold on to. I became more curious after listening to 'Circle of Life' where the Chord progression ...
3
votes
4answers
127 views
How do you know what chords to use for a song/melodies you don't know?
I was given this exercise but unlike the other questions, this didn't have the title of the song in it. I thought it was just something I had to analyze and try to put chords that fit with the melody. ...
11
votes
1answer
1k views
What is a I♭ chord?
I was watching Music Matters' video on counterpoint when I came across this chord progression:
| I V | I V IV | II♭ V I VI I♭ | II♭ V I ||
My question is what is a I♭ chord. Is this chord common? Is ...
2
votes
2answers
64 views
Understanding the chords of "Paradise" by Daniel Caesar?
The song is based on this 4-chord loop:
Abmaj7-Db9-Gmin7-Gbmaj7
I've liked this song for a while and its chords have always mystified me. Why does this progression work? Any help would be appreciated.
2
votes
4answers
201 views
Name for chord progression in pop music
I've noticed a bunch of pop songs have the same four-chord progression running in a continuous loop:
ii -> V -> I -> vi (or V/ii) -> (starts over on ii)
Characteristics:
One chord per bar ...
1
vote
2answers
51 views
How to harmonize ^2 - ^4 - ^3
I have at my disposal I, I6, V and V7 and inversions as well as ii, ii6 and IV to harmonize this melody. I am also allowed to use the cadential 64. I am stuck on the beginning part on how to harmonize ...
2
votes
3answers
86 views
D major in F major progression?
So i've started new in music theory and i'm guessing the chords to this neo oriental song and i've noticed that the chord progression goes like: Gm - F - Bb - D(hammer on G note (Dsus4))
and it seemed ...
2
votes
2answers
357 views
Can someone explain what an imperfect authentic cadence is? What are the requirements to make this?
I don't really fully understand what an imperfect authentic cadence is. I was told that if the chords are inverted, then it's considered an IAC. Or maybe the melody can be 4–3, etc. I just need an ...
0
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2answers
86 views
Completing a chord progression
I am looking to complete a chord progression of 3 chords that I try to identify first before continuing the progression. However having no theoretical background I am struggling if you could please ...
4
votes
2answers
193 views
Assuming a key of E Major, how does I -> V6 -> bIII -> bvii -> I relate?
I'm a music theory beginner and was just noodling on my keyboard, but the mentioned chord progression seems to work, and I am not certain why. Am I doing some sort of circle of fifths modulation?
0
votes
3answers
840 views
How come music using the same chord progression can sound so different?
How come music using the same chord progression can sound so different? A lot of Japanese pop songs use 4 popular chord progressions, but how come these songs can come in such a large variety and ...
3
votes
2answers
99 views
Jazz vs Classical interpretation of this V7c vs iv-m6 chord in a common chord progress?
Here is a progression in a song I am playing
On the 3rd beat of the second measure there is a Dm6 or G9/D chord (or B half diminished first inversion): at least that's what Carl Kress is playing ...
1
vote
2answers
127 views
If a chord progression with a minor tonic has no chords with a leading tone, does that mean it is aeolian?
If we take a progression like i III VII iv, does the absence of a raised leading tone mean we arent in a minor key? Are progressions like these "modal" progressions?
4
votes
1answer
115 views
Is a phrygian cadence iv6 - V or can it also be VI - V?
I have always thought that a phrygian cadence was VI - V but I now read that it is actually iv6 - V. Can both be used?
2
votes
0answers
85 views
Changes by David Bowie chord analysis [closed]
I am trying to find out what is going on in David Bowie’s “Changes” song in terms of the chords are used. I have made a couple observations but I want to make sure they're right.
Firstly,the second ...
13
votes
5answers
3k views
What chord is "A7+4"?
That's how it's notated and I think it's a really unusual notation. Could that be a synonymous notation for "A7sus4"?
The key signature is E-flat.
0
votes
3answers
59 views
How to write a 4 part progression going from V to VI in minor keys
Apparently the 3rd of the VI needs to be doubled but in this progression I have written the motion from V to VI with the normal doubling and it sounds great to me. I don't understand why they make ...
4
votes
4answers
975 views
Help me hear Am7 as a minor chord
I recognize that Am7 (A-C-E-G) is considered a minor chord because, when stacked as thirds, the A is on the bottom.
But I cannot make my ear perceive it as a minor chord out of context. To me it ...
3
votes
2answers
72 views
Can ii move to V43 over static bass just like IV can move V42?
In my harmony book (by Aldwell and Schachter) the progression from IV to V42 is a common one and gets its own section. But the book makes no mention of using scale degree ^2 in the bass. Is moving to ...
-1
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2answers
67 views
When She Loved Me: Decorative Chords alternatives on (Add2)
This is the middle part of "When She Loved Me," in Toy Story 2 sung by Sarah McLachlan.
P.S. See this for example for the piano.
The chord progression goes twice as:
Em7b5 -> A/C# - > ...
0
votes
1answer
68 views
When She Loved Me: Opening Chord progression - replace the 3rd chord from G7/B to Bdim or Bb?
This is the opening chord progression of "When She Loved Me," in Toy Story 2, sung by Sarah McLachlan. See a related question.
The chord progression goes like:
Dm -> AmC -> G7/B -> ...
4
votes
2answers
64 views
Major Harmonic chords - Fourth degree, substitute for min/maj chord
Please see below for F#/Gb Major Harmonic four note chords which I made. You will notice the fourth degree shows as a min/major 7th chord (which doesn't sound too bad). But, what is considered a good ...
1
vote
0answers
27 views
How to get other chords of same key? [duplicate]
In the key of C major, the C major chord is the first, third and fifth note of the major scale.
In the key of D minor, the D minor chord is the first, third and fifth note of the minor scale.
As you ...
2
votes
3answers
93 views
Having trouble identifying the chords of sheet music
I've been having a problem trying to find the chords of sheet music.
For example, the song, All the Things You Are.
Question:
How did the person writing this know what chord is in each measure, it's ...
2
votes
2answers
177 views
Can an expanded dominant precede a cadential 6/4 chord?
My textbook actually says that you should avoid this because it contradicts what the cadential 4 is supposed to do but using the given melody (which I couldnt change) this is the best harmonization I ...
9
votes
3answers
3k views
What purpose do chords serve in music?
I'm a complete beginner to music theory and have recently been learning a few basics.
One thing I can't wrap my mind around are chords, and to a certain extent, chord progressions. I know how they are ...
8
votes
3answers
676 views
Is there some theory that suggests that sequences may be formed by "sampling" earlier sequences?
Is there some theory that suggests that sequences may be formed by "sampling" earlier sequences?
Often music theory seems to suggest progression as "where to go next", but I've ...
2
votes
3answers
126 views
What do I call this type of transition?
I'm a complete novice to composing and music theory, but part of what I'd like to do is acquire the vocabulary to describe subtle changes in sound, especially ones that evoke a distinct emotion.
For ...
6
votes
2answers
246 views
V→vii° or vii°→V
I have been taught that V→vii° is a better harmonic progression since vii° forms a diminished fifth so it sounds more intensive than V. However, I saw some online lessons suggests that vii°→V is more ...
6
votes
1answer
70 views
What harmonic idea is being used in Measures 9-12 and 17-19 in "Recuerdos De La Alhambra? "
I have done some harmonic analysis on Francisco Tárrega's “Recuerdos De La Alhambra”, as you can see below. Most of it makes sense to me, but there are sections in measures 9-12 and 17-19 that the ...
5
votes
4answers
315 views
Is it always necessary to include the root in a slash chord?
Is it always necessary to include the root in a slash chord?
I see slash chords sometimes that do not contain the root note. Is it conventional to do that in certain contexts? Here is an example.
...
7
votes
1answer
262 views
In the common-practice style, did minor dominant chords (v) still function as a dominant?
In the common-practice style, usually dominant chords were always major, even in minor keys. Without the leading tone, how did minor dominant chords (v) function?
4
votes
3answers
398 views
Are secondary V passing chords played in the scale of the destination chord?
When playing a secondary V passing chord, is it played in the scale of the destination chord (or the current scale)?
Assume we have the following: (source)
In the above, the passing chords are Em7 ...
7
votes
4answers
868 views
Minor subdominant as dominant chord?
I notice that IIø7 or IV- is often used instead of II-7 or IV to create extra pull towards the tonic. For example: if you play IIø7 in first inversion to I in second inversion, IIø7 very much sounds ...
5
votes
3answers
609 views
What is the function of this ♯V major chord (or ♭VI major)?
From this video, just listen to the first 8 bars (first 15 seconds). It sounds like the chord progress is I III7 II7 V# V7 in F major scale to me.
I don't know how to explain the function of this V# ...
1
vote
0answers
38 views
What are some useful resources for modal study? [closed]
I'm looking for some useful historical references for modal study. Specifically, great books or texts on how modes evolved, progressed and became the elusive subject they are today.
What resources ...
3
votes
3answers
85 views
Should an alternating bass line move in the direction of the next chord's root note?
When alternate picking on the guitar (i.e. playing a bass line) from the I to the V or iii, I have noticed that it seems a standard practice for some musicians to choose the note nearest the root of ...
-1
votes
3answers
182 views
How is he playing a D7 in the key of C major?
Why does it work when Jimmie Rodgers plays D7 in the key of C? how does the vocal melody still function?
In the first two songs he plays D7 and it works well. It's not borrowed from the parallel minor ...
-1
votes
3answers
89 views
What is a parallel natural minor scale and why is it not on the circle of 5ths?
Im7 II-7(b5) bIIImaj7 IVm7 Vm7 bVImaj7 bVII7
These parallel natural minor chords used in pop music do not show up in the circle of 5ths. I only see vi ii and iii. Is there a chart or a way to ...
0
votes
3answers
88 views
Does this progression have a name? If then what is its name?
bVI-V-i-bIII
I discovered this progression various months ago when playing with a website that lets you make chord progressions (not one of those websites that create a progression randomly, a website ...
3
votes
2answers
384 views
Popular examples of the ♭III in modern rock music?
In the chorus of one of the last songs, "Goodbye", off of Bo Burnham's special Inside, Bo uses the following progression:
Key Signature: G Major
Chord Progression: C - B♭ - G
I believe that ...
1
vote
0answers
63 views
What feelings does placing a minor chord in different places in a chord progression create? [closed]
For example, let's take the common major progression of I-V-vi-IV chords. How would the feeling of the overall song differ if:
The vi chord was the first chord of the progression
The vi chord was the ...
7
votes
4answers
588 views
Modulating a minor 3rd
I want to modulate from a chorus that's in F# minor to a verse which is in D# minor.
Do you know a good (preferably short) chord progression/transition for this modulation?
0
votes
0answers
41 views
In Kim Taeyeon's "I", why do the C7 and quasi Six-Four Chords conceal the chord changes?
I don't understand the analysis and dialogue, starting at 15:04, between Kevin Wang BMus (Eastman) in Piano Performance and Jenny Yunyi Ji BMus (Eastman), MMus (San Francisco Conservatory of Music) in ...
0
votes
0answers
74 views
Why are phrases/chord progressions most commonly four bars?
Chord progression and phrases are almost always 4 bars (in pop and country). Why is this? Why not 8 bars(I-I-IV-IV-V-V-I-I)
4
votes
2answers
102 views
Were Plagal Cadences always used with an Authentic Cadence preceding it?
In typical 19th-century harmony, was a Plagal Cadence always used with an Authentic Cadence preceding it? To put it another way, was it typically ever used out of its "Amen" context?
2
votes
3answers
112 views
Can a cadence happen only at the end of a measure?
In this chord progression, | I vi IV V | I vi IV V | I |, there seems to be a perfect cadence that occurs at the end of one chord progression/measure (V) and the beginning of the next chord ...