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5 Steps To Write a Chord Progression: A Beginner’s Guide
A chord progression is a series of chords that are played in a song.
It is one of the most essential elements of music because it sets up the foundation for melodies and other musical ideas.
A chord progression can be as simple as three chords or as complex as 10, depending on what you’re looking to achieve.
A chord progression can also use different variations such as reverse, deceptive cadence, secondary dominant, and so on.
Chord progressions are essential for both lead and bass guitarists because they create the foundation for any song.
Once you know how to write a chord progression and understand its importance, you will be better prepared to start writing your own music.
Let’s take a look at how you can learn how to write a chord progression!
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What is a Chord Progression?
A chord progression is a series of chords that are played in a song.
It is one of the most essential elements of music because it sets up the foundation for melodies and other musical ideas.
A chord progression can be as simple as three chords or as complex as 10, depending on what you’re looking to achieve.
A chord progression can also use different variations such as reverse, deceptive cadence, secondary dominant, and so on.
Chord progressions are essential for both lead and bass guitarists because they create the foundation for any song.
Once you know how to write a chord progression and understand its importance, you will be better prepared to start writing your own music.
Identifying the Key of a Song
The first step in learning how to write a chord progression is to figure out what key the song is in.
Once you know the key, you can then start to write the chord progression.
To identify the key of a song, listen closely to the song’s melody and lyrics.
One of the easiest ways to identify the key of a song is to look at the sheet music.
At the top of every page will be the key of the song. By looking at the key, you can narrow down the melody and lyrics to determine the key.
If you don’t have access to the sheet music, you can also use a software such as a digital audio workstation (DAW) like Logic or GarageBand to identify the key of the song.
Write the Root Chord
The first step in writing a chord progression is to identify the root chord.
The root chord is the first chord of the progression, typically identified by the root note.
The root note is the note that is written on the staff and is the starting point of a melody.
The root chord is typically written on the root note.
For example, if you are in the key of C major, your first chord is C major.
The root note is written on the note line as “C”. Once you have the root note, you can then build a chord from it.
The easiest way to write a chord from a note is to look at the chord formula.
A chord formula is simple system that can be used to create a chord from a note.
Add the Second Chord
Once you have written the root chord, the next step is to write the second chord.
The second chord is written in relation to the first chord.
The second chord is typically written on a note one semitone higher than the root note.
For example, if you are in the key of C major, your root chord is C major. The second chord is written on the note “D”.
If you are in the key of G major, your root chord is G major.
The second chord is written on the note “A”.
Add the Third Chord
Once you have written the second chord, it’s time to write the third chord.
The third chord is typically written on a note one whole tone higher than the second chord.
For example, if you are in the key of C major, your second chord is D major.
Your third chord is written on the note “E”. If you are in the key of G major, your second chord is A major.
Your third chord is written on the note “F”.
Add the Fourth Chord
Once you have written the third chord, write the fourth chord.
The fourth chord is typically written on a note one semitone higher than the third chord.
For example, if you are in the key of C major, your third chord is E major.
Your fourth chord is written on the note “G”. If you are in the key of G major, your third chord is F major.
Your fourth chord is written on the note “A”.
Conclusion
Creating original chord progressions is not as easy as it might seem at first.
It requires training, practice and a lot of patience. However, it’s also a skill that can be developed over time.
By using the right techniques and tricks, you can make your chord progressions stand out and give your songs an edge they were missing until now.
This blog post covers the most common techniques used by professional songwriters to make their chord progression stand out
