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.

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What are ways to use permutations to explore harmonic progressions?

Permutations can be very useful for crafting varied and interesting rhythms. It is possible to explore rhythms using Pascal's triangle. Sounds and silences on two beats can be written in binary form: ...
atlvd's user avatar
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1 vote
0 answers
65 views

Anyone know what key this cadence from the SimCity 3000 theme is in? [closed]

I'm currently analyzing the SimCity 3000 theme ( ). I've noticed that the chords for the intro (by figuring out the notes for each chord and then looking the note ...
ChrisNonyminus's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
84 views

Resolving chordal 7ths (Maj7, min7, V7, etc.) (melodic vs harmonic tendency)

I'm aware of "melodic" tendencies, where [2-4-6] all usually resolve down & [7] usually resolves up. But I cannot find any resources that explain WHY chordal 7ths, when dealing with ...
ECtheory's user avatar
0 votes
2 answers
76 views

How to know what scale to use for filler licks in a chord progression?

I learned about secondary dominants recently, and I found that this particular progression in the key of C major sounds quite nice: C - E7 - Am I - V/vi - vi I am playing it in the following voicings: ...
bismo's user avatar
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2 answers
156 views

A Question on Chord Progression

I've been going through the ABRSM G7 papers and have encountered a question on chord progression which I hope someone could help answer. Please refer to the image below. I've put in Roman numerals to ...
user95334's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
347 views

How to Identify & Complete Sequences

I'd like help understanding the concept of sequences. I know it is considered a form of repitition, but not much else. Below is an excerpt from Bach's Invention in Dm. I am told this excerpt includes ...
Exandrius Grey's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
103 views

How do I make different sounds using modes when I'm using the same chords that I'm building the modes off? [duplicate]

People keep saying use modes to get a different sound. How can you get a different sound from modes when they use the same chords from whichever you built the modes off, doesn't really matter if it's ...
christopher ramsden's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
29 views

How Do These Decorative Chords Contribute to Diatonic Modulation in Aldwell and Schachter's Example?

I'm studying diatonic modulation via example (e) in Unit 26 of "Harmony & Voice Leading" by Aldwell and Schachter and need some clarification. The progression moves from an F major to an ...
286642's user avatar
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3 votes
1 answer
300 views

ii-ii6-I progression

I've heard this progression many times and in many ways over the course of my life, but I can't seem to assign a name to it or find out any further information about it or its history. It goes as ...
Edward Kirby's user avatar
2 votes
3 answers
141 views

Question About Modal Chord Progressions

What is a modal chord progression? I know that some scale degrees resolve to other scale degrees other than the root note or root chord. Do I always have to resolve my phrases on the notes of the ...
Henry Paul's user avatar
1 vote
3 answers
114 views

In harmonic syntax (“root progressions”), does only the root matter, or the entire chord?

I’ve read in these threads that Rameau & CPE Bach have a different opinion on wether or not more notes than the root of a chord are relevant in harmonic syntax. Here are some stand out quotes from ...
Lecifer's user avatar
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3 votes
3 answers
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How does Gm → C9 → Ebm → Ebm/Gb work?

I have a song in Bb major. It begins its verse in G minor like this: Gm → C9 → Ebm → Ebm/Gb Gm → C9 → Ebm → D7 I can relate that Gm and C9 are a ii-V, but it resolved not to F but to Ebm (bVII?). ...
dz902's user avatar
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2 votes
5 answers
1k views

Does melody come from root progressions?

I’ve noticed that in a melody certain notes stand out and it’s always the root of the current chord or arpeggio. (also, are arpeggios only descending/ascending or can they be in a random order?) In ...
Lecifer's user avatar
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4 votes
2 answers
311 views

Why are these two songs nearly identical for 20 whole seconds? Could there be a theoretical explanation?

Disclaimer: this question is not about copyright. I am trying to understand why the voice melodies of the two songs are so similar. I thought the chord progression could be classical, and that there ...
Lorenzo Pompili's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
142 views

Bb7 chord in C major , function

Could you please help me make sense of the accompaniment for 'Moon River' in terms of why certain chromatic chords seem to be the only solution and if certain modulations are implied when using some ...
Irina 's user avatar
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3 votes
6 answers
2k views

Explain chord progression

I'm just starting learning musical theory and trying to grasp chord progression and modulation concept. I was watching youtube video about evanescence chord progression (C-Em-C-Em), and tried to come ...
Archeg's user avatar
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7 votes
3 answers
1k views

Doja Cat - Paint the Town Red Chord Progression

What is the functional explanation of the chord progression in the Doja Cat song Paint the Town Red? I think it's in G minor and is an alternating Gm7 Am7 progression. Where does the Am7 come from? G ...
Nick's user avatar
  • 171
2 votes
3 answers
120 views

Question about chord progressions and scales

recently I watched a Youtube Short of a short Bossa Nova chord progression, with the chords in order as follows: Cm9 -> Fm7 -> Dm7b5 -> G7b13 -> Cm9 So I looked up the C minor scale. ...
rodri's user avatar
  • 23
7 votes
5 answers
1k views

Why does a chord sound lower although the individual notes went up?

I was dabbling around on my keyboard and noticed a strange effect that I'd like to learn more about. I'm sure this is a well-known effect that probably has a name, but it's a little hard to google ...
balpha's user avatar
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8 votes
5 answers
497 views

Why are triads considered perfect chords and the basis which all extensions are built off of?

Why are triads considered perfect chords and the basis which all extensions are built off of? I'm sort of posting the question from an ignorant standpoint but I do already have some prior knowledge. I ...
Lecifer's user avatar
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1 vote
1 answer
67 views

Understanding a particular chord progression

In this particular chord progression (appeared in a Jacob Collier video), I'm trying to understand the meaning of all the successors to each chord. I undertand F9/A - Abm13b5 - Gm11 as II7-V7-IMaj7 in ...
BlueCharlie's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
81 views

Sharp 4th sounds good in major scale lick/progression?

As part of my practice session today, I was exploring using CAGED chord shapes up and down the neck while incorporating licks in order to make melodic passages. While playing in A major, I improvised ...
bismo's user avatar
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2 votes
1 answer
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Progression iii-VI-ii-V-I too short

I'm composing a piece that goes like this for now (mainly a iii-VI-ii-V-I) AbMaj9 - Gm7 (add11) - C9 - Fm11 - Bb13 - EbMaj9- Eb9 and I can loop that. In terms of harmony, the progression goes well and ...
BlueCharlie's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
67 views

What is it called when a chord progression in a specific key uses root/tonic notes that are in-key, but other members of the chord are not?

What is it called when a chord progression in a specific key uses root/tonic notes that are in-key, but other members of the chord are not? For example, say I am in the key of C major and I pay C Maj, ...
the_endian's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
166 views

What is the function of G Major in the key of B Major

Referencing the song in context: Yoake To Hotaru At around 3:30, the chord progression goes from Cm - Dm - EM - GM#5 - Abm from what I can see in the video. In this case, what function does GM#5 ...
IcedKlementi's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
114 views

Music theory behind ChordJam

Does somebody know the plugin ChordJam? It`s a nice chord generator Plugin As you can see, I can choose a scale (C-B), a scale type (Minor, Major, ...) and additionally a ChordType (Major Scale, Minor ...
user1383029's user avatar
-1 votes
1 answer
125 views

Adequate chord progression for an intimate "bolero"-"jazz" song?

I am trying to compose an intimate song to be played by an acoustic guitar (and a piano at most) related to the genre of "bolero" or "jazz", perhaps with traces of "fado"....
vengaq's user avatar
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0 votes
1 answer
128 views

Rationale behind the modulations in Alice Cooper's Poison

I was playing along to Poison and noticed a curious chord progression: [Verse] (in Dm) i VI III VII Dm Bb F C Your cruel, device, Your blood, like ...
xdl's user avatar
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3 votes
4 answers
191 views

How to hear chord progression

Trying to learn chord progressions by ear. Reading from multiple sources to listen for the root and so on. I tried searching for this question and couldn't get it. But do I actually listen after the ...
music5475's user avatar
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2 votes
1 answer
124 views

What is the theory behind this chord progression with two chords from the minor scale of the same key? [duplicate]

I came across a lovely piece with the following chrod progression: Body: D Dmaj7 G Em F#m G Em D Ending: D D7 Bb C D D From the body it looks like D major scale, but in the ending two chords from D ...
EconomicsSucks's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
236 views

Adding a fourth chord in a 2-5-1 chord progression

Background I understand this might be a rather vague question - and I apologize if it is too much so - but I am novice music theorist and think this question does have merit to it. I am playing a 2-5-...
bismo's user avatar
  • 209
1 vote
3 answers
129 views

Why does this vi-ii-V-I progression evoke a sense of ii-V-I-vi?

Could someone assist me in analyzing the chord progression found in 'Save My Soul, Not My Ship' by Enjoy? A brief caveat with regard to the title: please note that my analysis of the progressions may ...
286642's user avatar
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5 votes
7 answers
1k views

I'm so confused about modes that I can't make a specific title

I started playing guitar almost 30 years ago as a little kid. I'm not great, but I can move my fingers and I know how the scales work and that a scale uses some specific chords. Now I wanted a new ...
sjkn's user avatar
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1 vote
3 answers
109 views

Two-note-same-root chord progressions with the G and B strings

I have a question regarding two note chord progressions on the G and B strings. I have noticed this in at least two songs: The intro to Teacher's Pet in School of Rock Tab courtesy of ...
bismo's user avatar
  • 209
4 votes
1 answer
107 views

Similarity between “Caro nome che il mio cor” and “Celeste Aida”

While listening to Caro nome che il mio cor from Rigoletto a couple days ago, I found a couple measures that reminded me vaguely of Celeste Aida from Aida. What do these two passages have in common, ...
0x2b3bfa0's user avatar
0 votes
2 answers
53 views

I have an augmented chord in a chord progression. How do I name it correctly? How do I know which inversion it is? [duplicate]

I know the basics of constructing an augmented chord. What I don't understand is how to choose between the three inversions of an augmented chord in a specific context. For example, Bb augmented and ...
Peter Kirkpatrick's user avatar
2 votes
3 answers
138 views

What's the role of a bVI chord preceding a ii V I?

I'm talking about the chord progression of The Beach Boys' "Heroes & Villains" outro ("Bridge to Indians"). The progression is the following: I I7 IV bVI7 I bVI7 ii7 V7 I (C# C#...
PepsiChicken's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
104 views

Secondary leading tone chords that do not resolve

I'm trying to analyse the harmony of a piece I've been given and I'm having trouble rationalising its use of non-diatonic chords. For context, I figured I should show the chord progression of a phrase ...
reyspawne's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
76 views

"Major" progressions & "Modal" voicings (tonal vs modal) when building chords & progressions

im not asking "what i can or cannot play" as all music is subjective, but im asking for "theory" or "technical" reasonings. people often say that they replace the 4/11 ...
beadgcf90's user avatar
0 votes
3 answers
72 views

How can I improvise singing a melody over a chord progression? [closed]

Do I sing the pitches I hear within the chord progression, or there is another way to do it? What if I want to sing notes that are not in the chord progression how do I sing them?
Sarah's user avatar
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0 votes
3 answers
250 views

Chord Progression ear training

Got this ear training app. And I was wondering what to listen to when hearing chord progressions? How the app work is simple, it first play I-V-I progression in random keys, then proceeds to play a ...
Musiclover678's user avatar
2 votes
0 answers
73 views

What chord progression is this? Guitar [closed]

In my journey of learning guitar, I have tried to identify chord progressions that don't necessarily have available tabs (for eye training fretting positions and ear training the sounds of those ...
bismo's user avatar
  • 209
2 votes
2 answers
728 views

What is this descending riff of notes referred to as?

In this battle song from Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Future Redeemed, between 1:09 and 1:13, there's a jazzy piano riff of notes that steadily descend. Something about it really sticks out to me, and ...
chausies's user avatar
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3 votes
1 answer
661 views

Rachmaninoff - Piano Concerto No. 2 (1st movement) Tempo I - Bar 86 - why D not D flat?

In Rachmaninoff - Piano Concerto No. 2 (1st movement) Tempo I - Bar 86 - Red box shows a D. Green box shows a D. Blue box shows a D flat. My question is that what is the logic / why the Green box is ...
wonderich's user avatar
  • 901
2 votes
4 answers
100 views

How to transition back and forth between relative major and minor 2-5-1?

I'm experimenting with nicely transitioning between a major and minor 2-5-1, at this point I'm purely interested in harmony. The 2 progression I'm trying to transition between (technically 1-2-5): ...
Balázs Édes's user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
208 views

How such an endless sequence of power chords is called?

C4 C5 D4 D5 E4 E5 F4 F5 G4 G5 A4 A5 B4 B5 It sounds like an endless stairs of power chord going upwards. I know there is a Wikipedia page for that but I do not know how to ask Google or Wikipedia, it ...
Eimrine's user avatar
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2 votes
2 answers
393 views

Trouble understanding the CAGED chord shapes

I'm someone who has been working in several different fields since a decade, such as BPO, Accounting and lately going into programming. I have always admired music through numerous songs throughout my ...
noob87's user avatar
  • 23
2 votes
3 answers
756 views

Why is the Royal Road progression (IV-V-iii-vi) often resolved by a ii-V-I cadence?

The IV-V-iii-vi progression is very often resolved by a ii-V-I cadence, making an extended progression of IV-V-iii-vi-ii-V-I which is very common in anime music. What's the reason?
user avatar
1 vote
4 answers
204 views

Random Chord Progression Based on Circle of Fifths

Given a melody (say in the key of C, we then know G, F, and Am around C), could any chord progression (always starting with tonic) randomly from I, IV, V and vi still work or work most of time? (e.g. ...
SBMVNO's user avatar
  • 309
4 votes
3 answers
623 views

how to replace the diminished chord in a key to write a good song without a diminished chord (for example e diminished to F)?

Is there a way to compose without the dimished chord yet still use E? I've tried for example usuing E minor but it sounded displaced in the key of F major.
David Cambridge's user avatar

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