Chord Progressions
Individual chords become music when they move from one to the next. This week you will learn how chords are built from scales, Roman numeral analysis, and the most common progressions in popular music.
Learning Goals
Lesson Content
Diatonic Chords
When you build a triad on every note of a major scale using only notes from that scale, you get seven diatonic chords. In C major:
- I — C Major (C-E-G) — Tonic, "home"
- ii — D minor (D-F-A)
- iii — E minor (E-G-B)
- IV — F Major (F-A-C) — Subdominant
- V — G Major (G-B-D) — Dominant, creates tension
- vi — A minor (A-C-E) — Relative minor
- vii° — B diminished (B-D-F)
Uppercase Roman numerals = major chords. Lowercase = minor. The ° symbol = diminished.
Common Progressions
- I-IV-V-I — The most fundamental progression in Western music (rock, folk, country)
- I-V-vi-IV — The "pop progression" heard in countless hit songs
- I-vi-IV-V — The "50s progression" (doo-wop, early rock)
- ii-V-I — The core jazz progression
Tension and Resolution
The V chord (dominant) creates tension that wants to resolve back to the I chord (tonic). This pull is the engine that drives music forward. The IV chord acts as a "stepping stone" between home and tension.
Practice Activities
Activity 1: Play Chord Progressions
On the Synthesizer, play these progressions in C major:
- I-IV-V-I: C major → F major → G major → C major
- I-V-vi-IV: C major → G major → A minor → F major
Use the Metronome at 72 BPM, changing chords every 4 beats. Listen to how each progression creates a sense of movement and resolution.
Activity 2: Chord Ear Training Review
Strengthen your chord identification on Intermediate. Knowing chord qualities makes it much easier to hear progressions. Try to get your streak to 10+.
Activity 3: Interval Training — Advanced
If you are scoring 70%+ on Intermediate intervals, try Advanced. This covers all intervals chromatically. Strong interval skills help you hear the movement between chord tones.