| A knowledge of chord progressions will help you communicate and play with other musicians. |
A knowledge of chord progressions will help you communicate and play with other musicians. |
| It is a must for participating in any kind of jam session. |
It is a must for participating in any kind of jam session. |
| Knowing the most commonly used chord progressions and forms allows for greater enjoyment and unity when playing with other musicians. |
Knowing the most commonly used chord progressions and forms allows for greater enjoyment and unity when playing with other musicians. |
| Most songs use three or more chords though some songs exist that only use two chords. |
Most songs use three or more chords though some songs exist that only use two chords. |
| Often musicians will embellish chords by adding or removing notes and to provide further interest may vary the rhythm. |
Often musicians will embellish chords by adding or removing notes and to provide further interest may vary the rhythm. |
| One chord "structures" are uncommon but they do exist. |
One chord "structures" are uncommon but they do exist. |
| For instance, Frere Jacques is a one-chord song because it can be played against a single major chord. |
For instance, Frere Jacques is a one-chord song because it can be played against a single major chord. |
| The melody "Taps", traditionally used at American military funerals, and which is very evocative, consists only of the notes which comprise the C-major chord (C, E, G). |
The melody "Taps", traditionally used at American military funerals, and which is very evocative, consists only of the notes which comprise the C-major chord (C, E, G). |
| One chord songs are rare on guitar. |
One chord songs are rare on guitar. |
| The most common chord progression is the I-IV-V. |
The most common chord progression is the I-IV-V |
| Note that Roman Numerals are used to describe these chord progressions. |
Note that Roman Numerals are used to describe these chord progressions. |
| Many songs use only these three chords. |
Many songs use only these three chords. |
| If one views chords as a set of balancing scales with the root note and octave root at opposing ends it will be noted that the IV and V chords are at equal distance respectively to the root and octave root. |
If one views chords as a set of balancing scales with the root note and octave root at opposing ends it will be noted that the IV and V chords are at equal distance respectively to the root and octave root. |
| Take for example the key of C major: |
Take for example the key of C major: |
| C - D - E - F - G - A - B - C |
C - D - E - F - G - A - B - C |
| You will see that the G note (or chord) is a fifth above the root note. |
You will see that the G note (or chord) is a fifth above the root note |
| The note F is a fifth below the octave. |
The note F is a fifth below the octave. |
| This movement of a fifth is very pleasing to the human ear in its sense of balance and cohesion in relation to the root note. |
This movement of a fifth is very pleasing to the human ear in its sense of balance and cohesion in relation to the root note. |
| Another way to view chord progressions is that of a journey. |
Another way to view chord progressions is that of a journey. |
| In the sense that the root (or tonic) chord is the starting point and the octave root is at the end. |
In the sense that the root (or tonic) chord is the starting point and the octave root is at the end. |
| All other points (chords) provide interest and variation with the fourth and the fifth chord occupying a special place on the journey due to them being half-way. |
All other points (chords) provide interest and variation with the fourth and the fifth chord occupying a special place on the journey due to them being half-way. |
| Many chord progressions start at the tonic (I), moves away to somewhere else, only to come back to the tonic. |
Many chord progressions start at the tonic (I), moves away to somewhere else, only to come back to the tonic |
| You can play this progression with major chords or you can substitute minor chords for the IV or V. |
You can play this progression with major chords or you can substitute minor chords for the IV or V. |
