Application of Chord Progressions

Recognising Chord Progressions

Chord progressions refer to a sequence of chords in a piece of music. They provide a roadmap or pattern for the melody and give structure and direction to a piece.
Different music genres are identified by their characteristic chord progressions. For example, Blues uses the 12-bar blues progression, and a lot of pop music utilises a four-chord progression.
Roman numerals are widely used to represent chords in progressions, allowing chords to be read and transposed regardless of key. The numerals I, IV, and V (representing the first, fourth, and fifth notes of the scale) are commonly used in a lot of Western music.

Applying Chord Progressions

Harmonising a melody often involves applying chord progressions. When creating a harmony for a melody, one can start by applying notes from a suitable chord in the given progression.
Use chord progressions as a compositional tool. They can create a certain mood or feeling due to the specific harmonic intervals between individual chords.
The tonic-dominant relationship (I and V, or their minor equivalents i and v) is a fundamental harmonic progression to understand in functional harmony. It provides a “home” sounding chord (tonic) and a chord providing tension that resolves back to the “home” (dominant)

Diverse Types of Chord Progressions

The circle of fifths progression moves by descending fifth from chord to chord. It provides a sense of forward motion and tension resolution.
The two-five-one progression (ii-V-I) is commonly used in jazz and is recognised for its sound of inevitable resolution.
Modal mixtures (or borrowed chords) from parallel keys can provide colour and interest to your progression. It involves ‘borrowing’ chords from the parallel minor in a major key, or vice versa.
Secondary dominants can be incorporated to create tension and drama, or to modulate to a new key.

In general, understanding chord progressions will improve your improvisation ability, allow you to join and adapt in ensemble settings, and create more complex compositions. But remember, many of the greatest songs ever written break these ‘rules’. So, see these progressions not as limitations but as springboards for your creativity.