Chord progressions are the backbone of most songs, providing a sequence of chords that create harmony and movement. Some progressions are used so frequently that they become musical "formulas" heard in countless songs across genres.
- Chord progressions are sequences of chords that create a sense of movement and emotion in music.
- They provide structure and help define the style or mood of a song.
- Common progressions can be found in pop, rock, jazz, blues, and more.
A chord progression is a sequence of chords that provides harmony and structure to a piece of music.
I-IV-V Progression
The I-IV-V chords in C major are C (I), F (IV), and G (V).
The I-IV-V progression uses the 1st, 4th, and 5th chords of a major scale. In C major, that's C (I), F (IV), and G (V). It's extremely popular because of its strong sense of resolution and simplicity.
- I-IV-V uses the tonic (I), subdominant (IV), and dominant (V) chords.
- It creates a clear sense of beginning (I), movement (IV), and resolution (V).
- Found in rock, pop, blues, and many folk songs.
The I-IV-V progression is common in rock, pop, blues, and folk music.
Exercise:
- What are the I-IV-V chords in the key of G major?
- Name three popular songs that use the I-IV-V progression.
ii-V-I Progression
The ii-V-I is important in jazz because it offers smooth, sophisticated harmonic movement and resolution.
The ii-V-I progression (two-five-one) is the cornerstone of jazz harmony. It uses the 2nd, 5th, and 1st chords of the major scale, often with the ii chord as a minor chord for richer sound.
- ii is a minor chord, V is dominant, and I is major.
- Creates smooth, logical motion with strong resolution.
- Central to jazz, but also used in pop and R&B for sophistication.
In C major, the ii-V-I chords are Dm, G, and C.
Exercise:
- Identify the ii-V-I chords in the key of F major.
- Why might a musician choose a ii-V-I progression over I-IV-V?
vi-IV-I-V Progression
The vi-IV-I-V progression typically conveys both uplifting and sentimental emotions.
The vi-IV-I-V progression is a variation that adds emotional depth by including the vi chord (relative minor). It’s used in many modern pop hits and sometimes called the “pop-punk progression.”
- vi is the relative minor, adding emotional complexity.
- Creates a loop that can sound very catchy and modern.
- Very common in contemporary pop and rock music.
The vi-IV-I-V chords in C are Am, F, C, and G.
The vi-IV-I-V progression is sometimes called the 'pop-punk progression.'
Exercise:
- List the chords for vi-IV-I-V in the key of G.
- Can you name a popular song that uses vi-IV-I-V?
I-vi-IV-V Progression
The I-vi-IV-V progression is associated with the 1950s and 1960s.
The I-vi-IV-V progression is a classic “doo-wop” sequence from the ’50s and ’60s, evoking nostalgic and romantic vibes. It’s basically a variant of the vi-IV-I-V progression.
- Delivers a smooth, cyclical feel perfect for ballads and love songs.
- Heard in many oldies and some modern retro-style songs.
- I and vi create a strong emotional contrast (major/minor).
In C major, I-vi-IV-V is C, Am, F, G.
Exercise:
- Compare I-vi-IV-V with I-IV-V in terms of emotional impact.
- Find an example of a doo-wop song using I-vi-IV-V.
Conclusion
Common chord progressions like I-IV-V, ii-V-I, and vi-IV-I-V form the foundation of most popular music, crossing genres and decades.
- I-IV-V is the most basic and widely used progression, perfect for beginners.
- ii-V-I is essential for jazz and adds harmonic sophistication.
- Variations with vi (like vi-IV-I-V) bring emotional depth and are favored in modern pop.
Exercises:
- Create a short melody over an I-IV-V progression in any key.
- Write down the chord progressions for a favorite song and identify if it matches any common formula.
- Experiment playing ii-V-I with different chord voicings to hear the "jazz" effect.
Chord progressions are sequences of chords that create harmony and direction, forming the backbone of most songs.
Common chord progressions include I-IV-V, ii-V-I, and vi-IV-I-V.
I-IV-V in C major are C, F, and G.
I-IV-V is common in Rock, Pop, Blues, and Folk.
ii-V-I is a chord progression providing smooth harmonic movement, fundamental to jazz.
In C major, ii-V-I is Dm, G, C.
Adding vi introduces minor tonality, deepening emotional impact.
Common progressions are vi-IV-I-V and its variant I-vi-IV-V.
I-vi-IV-V is known as the 'doo-wop' progression.
I-vi-IV-V in C major is C, Am, F, G.