Chord Progression

Definition

A chord progression is a series of chords played in succession that forms the backbone of a song or piece of music. It provides structure and movement within a composition.

Analogy

Imagine building a house where each room represents a different chord in your progression. The order in which you arrange these rooms determines how people navigate through your house. Similarly, chord progressions determine how listeners experience your music as it unfolds.

Related terms

Cadence: A cadence is a specific sequence of chords at the end of a phrase or section that gives a sense of resolution or finality.

Roman Numeral Analysis: Roman numeral analysis is a system used to analyze and label chords within a key using Roman numerals instead of traditional notation symbols.

Circle of Fifths: The circle of fifths is a visual representation showing the relationship between keys and their corresponding major/minor chords based on ascending fifths. It is often used to determine chord progressions and key relationships.