Basic Chord theory - major chords & chord progressions

 These are some basics of chord theory and chord progressions on a really simple level to get started on Abelton.

They’re important for developing the structure of a song.

A chord consists of two, three or more notes that are played together at the same time. 

An example of a chord is called a triad.  This uses 3 notes.

 

 A chord progression is a series of chords played in a sequence.

 

To play a chord you need a polyphonic instrument.

Monophonic instruments are not suited for chords as they are limited to producing one note at a time.

 

Chords are built from a root note. This is usually the one with the lowest pitch.

 

Examples of which include:

• Major
• Minor
• Augmented
• Diminished

I'll cover major chord structure here.

Other's will be covered in later posts 

Major chord

A major chord/triad is built from a root note, a major third and a perfect fifth.  

Major triads are characterized by a happy and uplifting sound.

 

To build one you start with the root note, then add a note 4 semitones up.

Add the next note 7 semitones from the root.

 

The C  maj chord contains three notes – C, E and G

 

 

 

The F Major chord has these notes -- : F A C

 

 

 

The G chord

 G Major: G B D

 

 

 

 A major consists of the notes, A – C# – E

 

 Chord progressions.

This is a G maj chord which progresses to a A major chord.

All I did was copy the G maj chord, paste then raise it 2 semitones to make the A major chord.

This is a very basic chord progression.

 

 

Below is a F major to D maj chord progression

C-Major Chord Progressions

the C major scale has 7 notes, which means that there are 7 chords in the key of C major.

They are:

C major,

D minor,

E minor,

F major,

G major,

A minor,

B dim

 

Common progressions in the chord of C major are

C-G-C ( this is called a I-V-I progression)

C-F-G

C-F-C-G

C-G-F

C-Dm-F-G

C-Am-F-G (I-vi-IV-V)

C-G-Am-F (Called a I - V- vi - IV progression)

C-Am-Dm-G 

 

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F-Major Chord Progressions

The F major scale has 7 notes. They are F G A Bb C D E.

The triad chords in the key of F major are F major, G minor, A minor, Bb major, C major, D minor, and E diminished. 

You can also add sevenths to these chords. 

These could be either a major seventh or a dominant seventh.

 

F - Bb - C

F - Dm - Bb - C

Gm7 - C7 - Fmaj7