Determining chord progressions in a song

Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through the process of determining chord progressions in a song using diatonic harmony. Understanding these concepts will not only enhance your music theory knowledge but also improve your ability to analyze and create music.

Step 1: Understand Diatonic Harmony

• Diatonic harmony refers to the rules governing how chords function within a specific key.
• Familiarize yourself with the notes in the key of C: C, D, E, F, G, A, B.
• Identify the major and minor chords in the key of C:
  • Major chords: C (I), F (IV), G (V)
  • Minor chords: Dm (ii), Em (iii), Am (vi)

Step 2: Use the Circle of Fourths and Fifths

• Visualize the circle of fourths and fifths to understand chord relationships:
  • Chord at 12 o'clock is the tonic (the key you are in).
  • Moving clockwise represents the circle of fourths (e.g., C to F).
  • Moving counterclockwise represents the circle of fifths (e.g., C to G).
• For any key, always place the tonic at the top (12 o'clock) for reference.

Step 3: Identify Major Chords

• To determine major chords in a song:
  • Find the tonic (key of the song).
  • Lean to the left (subdominant) and right (dominant) to find the other major chords.
• For example, in the key of C:
  • Tonic: C
  • Left: F (subdominant)
  • Right: G (dominant)

Step 4: Determine Chord Progressions

• The second chord in a progression is often the hardest to find. Once you have it, the rest usually follows.

• A common progression pattern is:

  1. Chord 1 (tonic)
  2. Chord 2 (often a minor chord like Dm)
  3. Chord 3 (often related, like Em)
  4. Chord 4 (can return to I or V7)

• Example for key of C:

  • Start with C (I).
  • Choose Dm (ii) as the second chord.
  • Next, use G7 (V7).
  • Conclude with C (I).

Step 5: Apply Logic to Chord Relationships

• Use logical connections between chords:
  • Chord 1 can go anywhere.
  • Chord 2 typically resolves to chord 5 or 7.
  • Chord 3 can follow based on the previous chord.
• For instance:
  • If starting on C and choosing Dm as the second chord, the next could be G7, leading back to C.

Conclusion

By mastering diatonic harmony and the relationships between chords, you will be able to analyze and create chord progressions effectively. Practice identifying the major and minor chords in various keys and experiment with different progressions to enhance your musical skills. Consider exploring more complex chord structures and variations as you advance.