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Chord Progression

The document discusses chord progressions, which refers to the order that chords are played in a song. It provides 5 basic rules for writing chord progressions, including choosing a key, using primary chords I, IV and V, starting and ending on chord I, and using common chord progressions and circle progressions. It then lists and provides audio examples of 4 common chord progressions and 2 circle progressions that are often used across many songs. Finally, it includes a quick reference chord progression sheet for all major and minor keys.

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Korong Kapampangan
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1K views7 pages

Chord Progression

The document discusses chord progressions, which refers to the order that chords are played in a song. It provides 5 basic rules for writing chord progressions, including choosing a key, using primary chords I, IV and V, starting and ending on chord I, and using common chord progressions and circle progressions. It then lists and provides audio examples of 4 common chord progressions and 2 circle progressions that are often used across many songs. Finally, it includes a quick reference chord progression sheet for all major and minor keys.

Uploaded by

Korong Kapampangan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 7

https://www.musictheoryacademy.

com/understanding-music/chord-progress
ions/

Home
Understanding Music
Chord Progressions

Chord Progressions

understanding music

The term chord progression simply refers to the order in


which chords are played in a song/piece of music.
Play a few different songs/pieces and you will see that there are
various different ways in which composers order chords.
However, the good news is that there are a few simple
guidelines which will help you massively when writing your own
chord progressions.

THE 5 BASIC RULES OF CHORD PROGRESSIONS

There are 5 basic rules to follow when writing a chord progression.


Follow these and your chord progression will definitely “work”:
1. Choose a key to write in (if you are just starting out the C
major, G major, A minor and E minor are good keys to start with)
2. Work out the primary chords (I, IV, V). Start to build your
progressions with these. Then move on to using secondary chords (II,
III, VI) to develop your chord progressions further.
3. Always start and end your chord progression on chord I
4. Try using some common progressions (see below)
5. Try adding some circle progressions (see below)

THE COMMON CHORD PROGRESSIONS

There are some chord progressions which are used in lots and lots of
different songs/pieces – they have been tried and tested in many
different styles and will “work”.
Learn these and you will be able to play lots of different songs and
easily use them in your composing.
They will work in both major and minor keys.

Start with the following 4 progressions. (I have done an audio


example in both a major key and then a minor key for you to listen
to)

Progression 1

Click Here To Listen To Chord Progression 1


Progression 2

Click Here To Listen To Chord Progression 2

Progression 3

Click Here To Listen To Chord Progression 3

Progression 4

Click Here To Listen To Chord Progression 4 00:08

THE CIRCLE PROGRESSIONS

Circle Chord Progressions are progressions where the chords seem to


naturally follow on from one another.
You will find the following 2 circle progressions really useful.
Have a listen to the audio examples for each (again, each recording
contains an example in a major key followed by an example in a
minor key).

Circle Progression 1

Click Here To Listen To Circle Progression 1

Circle Progression 2

Click Here To Listen To Circle Progression 2

QUICK REFERENCE CHORD PROGRESSION


SHEET

I have put together this cheat sheet to give you the basic chord
progressions in every key!
Feel free to screenshot it/print it out for quick reference.
You will see that some of the keys are really complex with lots of
sharps and flats. If you are just starting out I suggest you choose one
of the following keys to write in:

Major – C, G, D

Minor – Am, Em, Bm

MAJOR KEY CHORD PROGRESSIONS


MINOR KEY CHORD PROGRESSIONS
In the next lesson we are going to look at Chord Inversions.

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