Today let’s practice creating chord progressions in the key of C.
First, let’s recap on how we determine what chords will work best in the key of C
C Major Scale
We’ll take our C scale…
Triads Built From The C Major Scale
… and build our triads…
Triad Names
We end up with the following chords:
I. ) C Major
ii.) D minor
iii.) E minor
IV.) F Major
V.) G Major
vi.) A minor
vii dim .) B dim.
Creating Chord Progressions
Here is a sample progression built from the C major scale/chord system on this page. It also serves to show that a progression doesn’t always have to begin with the 1st (tonic) chord.
G – C – G – C – F – G – C
If we displayed it as Roman numerals it would look like this:
V, I, V, I, IV, V, I
So, it’s a simple I, IV, V song. If you’ll remember, they are considered the most important chords in the key. In fact, much of popular music rely heavily on just these three chords. Practice coming up with your own progression by using just these three chords.
Now, we don’t wan to neglect the other chords in the key. They can add complexity and emotional depth to your music.
There are several rules that we can use that will tell us what chords work best.
- The I chord can lead to any chord
- The ii chord leads to to IV,V,vii
- The iii chord leads to the ii,IV,vi
- The IV chord leads to the I,iii,V,vii
- The V chord leads to the I
- The vi chord leads to the ii,IV,V,I
- The vii chord leads to the I,iii
Ultimately, you don’t have to stick with the rules. There are a zillion songs that we listen to every day that break them, so they are not set in stone. Fair warning: you’ll find that if you get too crazy with your chord progressions that they simply won’t work harmonically. Go ahead and be a pioneer- just be careful.
Here’s some ideas for chord progressions. Try playing them!
I. ii, IV, I
I, vi, IV, V
I, V, I, IV
IV, V, I, V
vi, IV, ii, I
Spend some time creating your own, perhaps you should write them down, too.