Last time in the music theory series we talked about Diatonic Chords and scale degrees.
Let’s use C Major as an example and take a look at the scale degrees again on the treble staff using simple diatonic triads (three notes stacked)…
CEG is a C Major Chord aka the I Chord
DFA is a D minor Chord aka the ii Chord
EGB is an E minor Chord aka the iii Chord
FAC is a F Major Chord aka the IV Chord
GBD is a G Major Chord aka the V Chord
ACE is an A minor Chord aka the vi Chord
BDF is a diminished triad aka the vii Chord (more diminished stuff later)
CEG is a C Major Chord aka the I Chord
Now based on this we can use some common chord progressions found in music.
For example a I IV V I progression would look like this on the treble staff…
Now let’s see what this chord progression would look like on the piano keyboard…
If we go back to the music of the 1950’s you’ll see a very common chord progression found in that era of music called the I vi IV V I.
Played in the key of C Major those chords would be
I C Major
vi a minor
IV F Major
V G Major
I C Major
A good example of this would be the chord progression in Unchained Melody by the Righteous Brothers.
As an example in my own music lets take a look at ‘Beneath the Same Sky’
It’s in the key of C Major and uses a basic I V IV I chord progression.
That’s C Major, G Major, F Major, and back to C Major.
Until next time, practice in the key of C Major with different chord progressions using the basic diatonic chords to help guide you.
You’ll notice your ear always want to take you back to the I Chord to help resolve the phrase.