chords in a key - the way chords function
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Chords In a Key - The Way Chords Function. Chords In a Key - The Way Chords Function. There are four basic chord qualities: Major Minor Diminished Augmented. Chords In a Key - The Way Chords Function. Basic chord qualities: AbbreviationExample Major nothing A - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
There are four basic chord qualities:There are four basic chord qualities:
Major
Minor
Diminished
Augmented
Basic chord qualities:Basic chord qualities:
AbbreviationAbbreviation ExampleExample
Major nothing A
Minor m Am
Diminished dim. or º A dim. or Aº
Augmented aug. or + A aug. or A+
I II III etc.
I II III etc.
There are seven chords per key
One for each different note in the scale
II IIII III III IVIV VV VIVI VIIVII
So, in the key of C:
II IIII III III IVIV VV VIVI VIIVIICC DmDm Em F GF G AmAm B dimB dim.
• I IV and V are always major chords
• II III and VI are always minor chords
• VII is always a diminished chord
Let’s see how this works in some other keys. How about the key of G.
The notes in the G scale are:
G A B C D E F#
Now, add the chord functions (the Roman Numerals):
G A B C D E F#
II IIII IIIIII IVIV VV VIVI VIIVII
Now, add the chord qualities:
G Am B m C D Em F# dim.
II IIII IIIIII IV VIV V VIVI VIIVII
Now, let’s analyze a song.
“Blowin’ In the Wind” is in the key of D and uses the following chords:
D G A A7 Bm
The chord functions (Roman numerals) for these chords would be:
II IVIV V V7V V7 VIVI
D G A A7 Bm
The chord progression Bob Dylan wrote for the verses in the song is:
D G D D
D G A A7
This translates to:
I IV I II IV I I
D G D D
I IV V V7I IV V V7
D G A A7
The chord progression for the chorus is:
G A D Bm
G A D D
Which translates to:
IV V I IV V I VIVI
G A D Bm
IV V I IIV V I I
G A D D
Virtually all songs can be Virtually all songs can be analyzed using this method. A analyzed using this method. A chord “progression,” the chord “progression,” the formula of the song in Roman formula of the song in Roman numerals, is the true essence numerals, is the true essence of a song, not the chords of a song, not the chords themselves.themselves.
Most songs use Most songs use I, IVI, IV, and , and VV as their as their basis. “The Time of Our Lives” by basis. “The Time of Our Lives” by Green Day is a prime example:Green Day is a prime example:
G5 Cadd9 Dsus
Em D C D Em G C D
Key of G:
I I IVIVadd9 add9 VVsussus
VI VI V IV VV IV V VI VI I IV II IV I
Other songs are more complicated. Other songs are more complicated. Look at “Hotel California:”Look at “Hotel California:”
Bm F#7 A E G D Em F#7
G D Em F#7
Key of D:
VI V7/VI V V/V IV I II V7/VIVI V7/VI V V/V IV I II V7/VI
IV I VI V7/VIIV I VI V7/VI
Thinking in Chord Thinking in Chord Progressions is Fun!Progressions is Fun!
Try It With All Your Try It With All Your
Favorite Songs!!Favorite Songs!!