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.
779
questions
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1answer
56 views
If chords progressions belong to more than one key, would tonality come from the melody?
In popular music, lets say I have a song that appears to be in C major. The progression could be something like C > Em > Am > G.
This progression could also be in G major However. So, let's ...
0
votes
3answers
100 views
Understanding the Construction of minor7 Chords on Guitar
I was watching a tutorial for Viceroy by Mac DeMarco with the following chord construction for a C#minor7 chord with the capo on the second fret:
I was confused by this chord construction considering ...
5
votes
4answers
669 views
How does this chord work in the progression?
So, if you're playing in a major key, say C major, and you play a I IV V chord progression but before you go to the V you play a bVI7 chord. So, C Major, F Major, Ab7, G Major. How come the Ab7 has ...
2
votes
0answers
47 views
How can one analyze the chord progression from “Your Affection (from Persona 4 soundtrack)” by Shoji Meguro?
I've been listening to Persona 4 soundtrack by Shoji Meguro recently, and soon got hooked on a song called "Your Affection". It's a J-pop song whose catchy chorus intrigued me with a ...
2
votes
3answers
106 views
How do you determine what chord the main progression starts on
For example this song
I can't tell if just starts on the A A#dim as a lead in or if Bm G D A A#dim is the actual main progression order
I hope this makes sense
4
votes
4answers
127 views
How to spot scale degrees in all scales fast?
Let's say you want to play a chord progression like 1-5-6-4 in all major and minor keys with inversions. To do this one should be able to spot the scale degrees in every scale quickly. How does one ...
1
vote
0answers
61 views
Can you help me analyze this chord progression? [closed]
This is kind of embarrassing, but when I write songs on guitar I tend to not focus too much on the key and just play what sounds good. I've figured out that my verse and chorus are in Emin, but I ...
3
votes
2answers
430 views
Are inversions for making bass-lines nice and prolonging functions?
I'm taking notes on chord inversions in common-practice period music and I noticed that the four categories of inversions (well, 6/4 chords at least) suggest 2 different purposes: a) making bass lines ...
0
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3answers
82 views
Circle of fifths rules
I'm trying to determine the correct algorithm for using a classical circle of fifths and create chord progressions please.
I understand that we can navigate clockwise (5th) or counter clockwise (4th), ...
2
votes
6answers
106 views
How is D7 functioning here? Applied chord both kind of does and doesn't fit
I am composing this Adagio piece in E Minor and there’s one chord in the starting chord progression that I can’t seem to figure out the function of, that being D7. It seems on listening to be an ...
1
vote
1answer
81 views
Name of #vio7 in chord progression?
Anybody happen know if the #vio7 chord has a name like the Italian, French, and German augmented sixth chords? I'd like to read up on it and how it is used in chord progressions, but my searches aren'...
12
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6answers
2k views
Why does C9 sound so good resolving to D major 7
So, I have been playing this chord progression in the key of D major with the chords DM7, Bm7, GM7, C9, and I can't seem to figure out why the c9 resolves so nicely to the D major 7 chord. Is it just ...
1
vote
1answer
52 views
Extended chord types for all major scale degrees
I am trying to chart the types of extended chords for all scale degree of the major scale. I have come up with the chart below.
A few questions on this:
Have I got the chord types correct?
In a chord ...
1
vote
2answers
44 views
Help with the last chord in progression
I have following progression:
G-Em-Bm-C
G-Em-Bm-C
G-Bm-F#m-A
D-Bm-F#m-???
G-Em-Bm-C...
I am happy with the progression and it works well, but struggling with the last chord.
Any suggestions?
Thanks!
0
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2answers
62 views
What's the most useful way to think about a song that progresses from C to D and back again?
I am thinking of a song that goes back and forth between a C major chord and a D major chord. It resolves to C. Does it make sense to still think of it as movement between tonic and supertonic, or is ...
1
vote
6answers
123 views
Is this chord progression really iii-V-I?
I've found a really cool chord progression that I've been playing on guitar that goes Bm-D-G-G. I'm trying to create a chorus to go with that chord progression, and I've settled that I'm playing in ...
0
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2answers
97 views
How do I determine the key of this given only an E7 secondary dominant chord
How am I supposed to determine the key with the only given E7 chord, which is used as an extended dominant in this case .
2
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5answers
173 views
Chord progressions that cover every scale degree? [closed]
Could anyone recommend some progressions that go through every scale degree in the major/minor scales? I’m trying to get more acquainted with chords on the piano, and would love something that sounds ...
4
votes
1answer
127 views
Love Shack Chorus Chord Progression
I've seen this chord progression pop up verbatim in a few songs I've been learning recently. It's (in a major key) I - bIII - IV - bVI then back to the tonic.
My question is: is there a name for this ...
2
votes
4answers
127 views
Curious about the logic behind this chord progression
https://takenote.online.berklee.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/berklee-piano-voicing-fig10-7.svg
(Cmaj7 -> F#m7(9) -> B7(13) -> Em7 -> A7 -> Dm7 -> G7 -> Cmaj7)
I get the B-E-A-D-...
0
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4answers
114 views
When changing chords on a guitar, do we play according to the main chord's scale for the entire song, or the current chord? [closed]
I'm currently trying to transpose songs from numerical notes(doremifasolasido) into fingerstyle guitar tabs. However, I have absolutely no experience in music, so I am now stuck because I do not ...
1
vote
1answer
111 views
Identifying chord and understanding its function in Loco's “Can't Sleep” [closed]
I am trying to identify the four chords in the beginning of this song.
My guess is Emaj7, C#m11, C#m/G#, B11sus4
Is my guess correct? I am must uncertain about the third chord.
I am having trouble ...
5
votes
4answers
267 views
How do pianists think about chords?
Coming from guitar I have memorised many chord variations, and I felt this was acceptable as the shapes are the same along the neck (for most jazz chords). However, now that I’m learning piano I’m ...
0
votes
2answers
104 views
How does James Bay's song Let it Go sound sad in a Major key? [duplicate]
If you listen to James Bay's - Let it Go, it sounds sad yet written in major key. In general, not just for this song, what in theory makes this happen?
I've read people suggesting flat majors make a ...
0
votes
3answers
84 views
Help Understanding Chord Progression
Hoping someone can explain this chord progression to me, I'm used to standard progressions such as I > IV > 5 etc.
Cmi9 > Ab9 > Cm11 > C7(#9,b13)
Would this be essentially I > vi >...
0
votes
2answers
81 views
How does tonality work with chords?
By tonality, I don't necessarily mean 'tonal music' but rather the actual functionality of tonality in music. If you were to play a chord progression with no melody notes, is a tonal center ...
0
votes
1answer
67 views
Can someone talk me through the music theory behind Overwhelmed by Royal and the Serpent [closed]
Interested to hear the theory breakdown for the whole song - but specifically the theory behind the chorus harmonies (
@ 0:42)
I am trying to develop my music theory ...
8
votes
7answers
1k views
Can the same song be written in a minor key and major key with the progression written differently?
quick question that's been bugging me lately. When it comes to a songs key specifically major and minor relatives- is it correct to say it can be written in two different keys with the same ...
2
votes
1answer
65 views
Replacing “D-minor” and “G-Major” with “F-major” and “G 7 no 5” (in a 2-5-1 chord progression)?
This "warm-up" video first goes over what it calls as "bookkeeping" (from 21-to-35).
They establish that the "warm-up" will take place in c-major and will follow the ...
1
vote
2answers
99 views
How was “Last Train Home” composed? [closed]
I'm interested in learning how this song is composed. Specifically I'm interested in understanding how such a song could be created from scratch.
Typically what I've been told is that most music first ...
1
vote
6answers
205 views
Why do parallel keys matter?
I am learning about borrowed chords and all explanations state it's done in conjunction with a parallel key.
Why?
Wikipedia says: "In the early nineteenth century, composers began to experiment ...
0
votes
1answer
81 views
What kind of progression is this?
Sometimes I listen to some songs and try to get the underlying features of it, and this time I've hit a bump.... I have no idea what is the progression on the following song:
It's TheFatRat and AleXa'...
3
votes
4answers
101 views
iv7 and m7-5 function
I couldn't quite understand the movement of this progression and the function of both Abm7 and Am7-5 chord in this progression.
Fm || Abm7 || Cm | Bb | Am7-5
Do they move to minor scale momentarily ...
5
votes
3answers
257 views
Beginner question - chords in the Japanese InSen scale
I'm a beginner but I've been learning music theory and practicing on a MIDI keyboard and FL Studio DAW. Just as I was learning basic chords and chord progressions in western music I was introduced ...
2
votes
3answers
179 views
Can I use two minor scales in the same song? [duplicate]
I've been composing a song, using the chord progression Am - G#° - Dm7/A - E (i - VII - iv - V), that is using the Harmonic minor scale.
The song has some melodies, that appear in different parts. The ...
-1
votes
2answers
67 views
Is this chord progression possible?
recently I've been thinking a chord progression that I'm not sure whether it's correct or uncommon. I'm just a music lover and never go into music theory deep. I just play by my ear and the chord ...
5
votes
5answers
621 views
Can I use the chord progression i - v - VII - iv? (Am - Em - G - Dm : in A minor scale)
I'm currently studing and learning about functional harmony and chord progressions.
I tried the chord progression i - v - VII - iv (A natural minor scale : Am - Em - G - Dm7/A) and get a nice and ...
3
votes
2answers
63 views
Is this an example of III7 augmented chord?
I seem to have come across a III7 chord in A harmonic minor, and I'm not quite sure about its function.
I initially thought it might have been V7, but there is a leap of a third between the C and E in ...
5
votes
2answers
331 views
Esus4 in the key of C. How can I use it?
Recently I've discovered that Esus4 chord can be built by using notes from C major scale (Esus4 notes: E-A-B - no 'sharps' or 'flats'). But I don't know how can I use the chord in the keys of C or Am
...
0
votes
2answers
159 views
The role of G in The Sound of Silence in A minor
So the chord sequence for The Sound of Silence in Am (the key I play in because I lost my capo) is roughly
Am G Am C F C F C F C Am C G Am G etc.
My question is why the G before Am, "within the ...
2
votes
2answers
55 views
Can I improvise inversions when my piece has slash cords?
I'm new to learning to play piano from a fake book. I've read that when you play a slash cord, the note on the bottom of the slash is supposed to be played in the bass. However, I've also read that ...
1
vote
7answers
227 views
What key does the chord progression E, D, C#, B, E, D, C#, G belong to?
I noticed while playing guitar recently that the chords E, D, C#, B, and then E, D, C#, G sound good together although to my knowledge those chords can’t be in the same key because of the E and the C#....
2
votes
2answers
93 views
Can secondary dominants be used to tonicize non-diatonic chords?
During music theory class I was taught in C major we have six possible secondary dominant chords that resolve to non-tonic diatonic chords:
A7 (- Dm)
B7 (- Em)
C7 (- F)
D7 (- G)
E7 (- Am)
F#7 (- ...
1
vote
2answers
97 views
Why is the vii° chord often substituted by a V chord when the full major-key circle of fifths progression appears in modern popular music?
When the full circle of fifths progression in major keys appear in pop/rock songs the vii° chord is often replaced by a V chord.
For example, in the Love Live (anime) OST "Snow Halation", ...
1
vote
1answer
63 views
m7b5 chord in a progression?
E | F# | G#m7 | D#m7
C#m7 | D#7 | G#m7 | B
E | Gdim | G#m7 | Fm7-5
C#m7 | D#7 | G#m7
I'm sure that Gdim serve as a diminished seventh to G#m7, but what purpose does that Fm7-5 serves?
it's from a ...
-1
votes
1answer
37 views
Are there rules for voice-leading? How do you approach splitting a chord progression into different instruments? [closed]
So I write pop/hip-hop music and I'm trying to split my chord progression across instruments. How do you approach doing this well?
Cheers,
A
1
vote
1answer
68 views
What is IV-V4/2-iii-vi-ii-V-I called?
In many pop songs I've seen this progression:
IV - V4/2 - iii - vi - ii - V - I
What is this called?
To me it looks like a modified circle of fifths progression.
1
vote
5answers
108 views
Melodies vs. Harmonies
Any recommendations on how to distinguish melodies from the harmony of a song? When listening to certain songs it seems as if the chord progression is acting as the melody of the song.
Can a chord ...
3
votes
2answers
278 views
What is the relationship between the chords in the bridge of Frank Ocean's Sweet Life?
The chords in the bridge to Frank Ocean's Sweet Life are:
||: C#maj9 | C#m7 | Bmaj7 | A#m7 :||
Here's a link to a tutorial of the song that shows the chords:
And a ...
3
votes
3answers
287 views
What is the harmony of this bar from Chopin's Minute waltz?
Consider following excerpt from Chopin's Minute waltz in D flat major.
The last bar is the chord of D flat major (tonic).
What is the chord of the penultimate bar? Why is there an A flat and A natural ...
