The most common chord progressions

It's difficult to be a musician or a creator of music. It is important not only to know the musical notation, but also to understand the mechanism of the hidden processes. Chord progressions are often used in variety music. They are a universal tool for creating melodies, as they can be used in different styles.

Theory

If the sound tends to a certain tonal center or central chord, then such a fragment is called a sequence. Sometimes it is a multiple syntactic structure of a harmonic cell, in which case the sequence becomes the basis for writing a classical play. The use of sequences is clearly related to form and rhythm.
Depending on the repetition frequency of the segment and its length, you can divide the sequences into 2, 4 or 8-clocked ones. Chord sequences even help to determine whether the melody belongs to one of the musical styles. A person who is just beginning to learn music can distinguish classics from variety compositions in this way. If you want to write your own songs, it's important to be able to build chord sequences that will be repeated and easily remembered.

Differences from harmony in classical music

For writing pop music is characterized by the simplicity and frequency of a chord progression. It is based on the repetition of the musical segment, in contrast to classical music, where harmony moves continuously. The same principle is used when writing short musical fragments used for advertising.

The origins of the sequence of chords used for variety compositions are folk songs. There, the simplicity of performance was very important, since the instruments were played by people who did not study music notation, but only mastered some techniques.

The real element of the style was the consistency in jazz music. Initially, it was close to classical harmony, but soon ragtime began to strive for simpler repetitions - this is typical for late compositions.

Types of movement of harmony

Harmony can move in one of three types:

• Quarto-quint;
• Chromatic;
• Diatonic.

It is on these three types that other sub-chord progressions are constructed. The basis for the construction is gamma, which is why the chords are numbered in accordance with the step on which their tonic is located.

The sequence can be played in any key. If the diatonic structure is preserved in the chord writing, only Roman numerals are used. If it is necessary to use the seventh chord, indicate a change of class - 7 or x.

Functional sequences

They are based on magic functions:

• For the major TDST;
• For a minor T-MD-ST (or a large T-MD-SDT).

In the above circles we used the notation: T - tonic, D - dominant, S - subdominant. These circles correspond to any functional sequence. For example, I-IV-VI, I-VI-IV-VI or II-VI-II. You can create such sequences for any gamut.

Non-functional sequences

Modal and tonal-sequence sequences are non-functional. They do not have a clear solution to the tonic of the dominant and subdominant. Also there are no tonal gravitations. In these sequences, two variants of tonality can be used. An example of this is Am7 - Hm7, which is the most common sequence. For example, it can be interpreted as a Dorian minor, then the formula will be I-IIm7. The same chord progression in the major key can be represented as II-III by G.

The non-functional sequence can be constructed on the basis of natural frets. An example of this can be a sequence in Mixolydian G major or Aeolian C. The formula can be: G-Dm-Em-F. In this case, nonfunctional sequences most often have only 2 chords. Melodies are based on their alternation, and there are many such compositions. But more often all the same sequences are used with a lot of chords, which alternate with each other.

Where chord sequences are used

Chords are the basis of many styles: jazz, heavy metal, blues and the like. The borrowing of a chord progression became the basis for many classical plays. The whole modern stage is based on the use of sequences.

Interesting fact is connected with the stage. If plagiarism is the borrowing of 7 notes in a row, then the sequences do not fall under this rule. After all, many composers would have to share their fees with the long-dead Bach, who owns many beautiful chord sequences, or rather his descendants. The use of sequences is not subject to copyright. That's why many people think that pop songs are similar to each other and have one melody.

The most commonly used sequences in jazz

Jazz sequences of chords are most interesting to master, as they are the most unusual, complex and beautiful. One of the most common progressions is the descending ii V I.

• | | Cmaj7 | % | Cm7 | F7 | Bbmaj7 | % | Bbm7 | Eb7 | Abmaj7.

As you can see, this is a major sequence, in which the fragment begins with the key C, and ends in the major Ab. Throughout the segment, the tonality does not change. This progression is recommended to study those guitarists who have just started to get acquainted with jazz sequences. This sequence has a related minor variant:

• Dm7 (b5) -G7alt-Cm7.

It will help even experienced musicians to expand their knowledge base. Minor chord progression will be more difficult to master than the major chords due to the presence of 7alt.

Another popular jazz and blues guitar move is the movement from I to IV. In a minor, many performers are familiar with her, but to build a sequence in the major key will be quite interesting. Examples that you can immediately try:

• Cmaj7-Gm7-C7-F-maj7 or Cmaj7-Gm9-C13-Fmaj9-F6 / 9.

Try them in different keys. This will be an excellent exercise for the ear and fingers.

Techniques for working with chords

You can create a chord progression in different ways. One of the most common cases is the use of one's own hearing. This technique consists in the fact that the composer sings a melody that has come to mind or has fallen on the text, and then already selects to it sequences of chords.

Harmonic sequence of chords is typical for classical music. In other styles, a limited number of sequences are used, where harmony does not matter much. There are a lot of tricks that will help you create your own sequence. Chords can be replaced by the opposite in tone or make add-ins to them. Often the chords are simply swapped. To find a more acceptable reception, try changing the key and doing other manipulations with the TSDT scheme. This is another useful exercise for future composers and musicians.

Example of creating a sequence

So, you already know about 20 chords that you can play on guitar and are eager to create a song of authorship? For such cases, it's the selection method, with which you can create a simple and memorable composition.

Creating a chord progression on the guitar begins by searching for a gamut for the song. For this you need to have ready-made text or at least a motive. Sing it a few times to correctly choose the gamut that will form the basis of the new sequence. Determine the note that predetermined the melody.

1. Decide on the tonality of the scale. To do this, take the note that you found, sing again the song. We recommend that you always always take a major, and if it does not come up, then try a minor.
2. Based on the note and scale, applying the rules of family chords, you will easily find the right combination.
3. If you are not professional enough playing the guitar, then use the trick "three chords". We will analyze it on the basis of the major scale and the basic note "before". In this case, the sequence will look like this: C major - F-major - salt-seventh chord.

In order to learn how to create more complex melodies, you must constantly practice. Learn the sequences that are used in tunes related to different styles. Try to write your first sequences, which can form the basis of songs. Be sure to do a lot of repetition while working with sequences. If you can not write your own melody from the first time, you will definitely get it from the 101st, so do not give it up. For this you will have to be patient.